Read carefully!
Write and present literature research on a link between a micronutrient and a clinical problem, and suggest a research project.
The purpose of this project is to exercise the ability to analyze current research literature on a specific nutritional issue, develop a structured idea for a research protocol, and present the results to a knowledgeable audience convincingly and in a professional manner.
The topic should link a micronutrient to a specific clinical problem, where the disease process and/or outcome can be influenced by changes in intake of this nutrient.
The paper should
¬ Give an overview of questions currently investigated regarding the micronutrient of choice, with detailed description of areas where the disease process is affected,
¬ Explain research results described in the literature and the methods used to obtain those results,
¬ List open questions that need to be addressed by research,
¬ Suggest a protocol to examine one of the open questions (see below),
¬ List all references, including at least 5 articles of original research on the topic,
¬ Be presented with visual support on no more than 20 power point slides, made available on the discussion board in the appropriate forum. A verbal presentation of the article of up to 15 minutes length must be recorded with the slide show. (Power point – slide show – record narration)
¬ Articles that are not freely accessible must be handed in as .pdf files accompanying the main document. For open access articles, a web link (URL) should be provided.
For the protocol suggestion,
¬ Use the format of a research article (read one for an example):
¬ The literature research will provide the background,
¬ Suggest a null hypothesis and a working hypothesis,
¬ Include 3 specific aims you want to achieve with the study, (i.e. questions that have a yes/no answer, and the answer will be provided by the tests you suggest)
¬ Suggest a design (statistical details not required), including, but not limited to, population/model system, subdivision into groups, assays, and the data to be collected, to disprove the null hypothesis
¬ For intervention studies, the intervention must be included,
¬ Explain how to analyze results to achieve your aims. (This corresponds to the “Discussion” section )
¬ Graphics may be included.
Grading Criteria:
¬ Appropriate selection of a topic,
¬ Critical analysis of the literature,
¬ Adequacy and appropriate citation of the literature background,
¬ Development of the hypothesis and specific aims,
¬ Selection of subjects, methods and protocol description,
¬ Clear thinking and structured presentation of the research proposal,
¬ Ability to make a clear and convincing presentation to the class.
¬ Late submission and excessive presentation will lead to a lower grade.
¬ For orientation only: expected length of the background is 1 to 2 pages (double spaced, 12 point font. The protocol portion will require about 2-4 pages, with 1 page for the discussion and significance of your suggested study – this does not include the reference page. The total length must not exceed 10 pages.