module specification

This module focuses on the concepts of techniques used in nutritional science and research. It covers the principles of research methodology including study design, introduction to statistics in the context of nutrition. Ideas are formulated in preparation for the project in the final year. The module supports on-going development of professional skills and awareness of Association of Nutrition code of conduct and ethics. There is also continuing support on how to seek future employment and build the qualities and transferable skills necessary.  The module also has a focus on exercise of some personal responsibility, decision making and independent learning.

You should also include the aims of the module: what key skills and knowledge will it enable students to develop? As a guide you should have been 4-6 aims per module.
1. You will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of study design and its practical application in nutritional research.
2. You will construct a project proposal with an appraisal of the background literature showing understanding of study design, confounding, dietary assessment tools and demonstrate an understanding of statistical analysis.
3. You will become more familiar with the professional body requirements for code of conduct and ethics.
4. You will demonstrate skills to support the enhancement of employability and make informed decisions about their choices of further study and identify specific skills requiring further development.

NU4005 (Human Nutrition)

Principles of scientific enquiry and evidence-based practice. Introduction to research ethics and law. Definition of population, sample, validity, bias and confounding. Surveys, questionnaire design, qualitative research, interviews, focus groups. Forming research questions and hypotheses.  L.O 1, 2
Conducting  literature reviews and demonstrate critical evaluation of the methods used in published studies.
Study designs: ecological, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, interventions including RCTs, systematic reviews, meta-analyses. Hierarchy of evidence. Experimental study design including randomisation in sampling, assignment to treatments, blinding.
Statistics and interpreting output, normal distribution, parametric, non-parametric tests, level of significance, type I and type II errors, distribution around the mean, confidence intervals, correlations, and introduce the interpretation of multiple regression and meta-analyses.
Dissemination of research.
AfN standards of ethics, conduct and performance. AfN core competency requirements for Associate Nutritionists.  L.O 3
Development of Careers Management Skills. CV and cover letter writing, searching for jobs. Interview skills.L.O 4

Acquisition of knowledge of the subject matter of this module will be promoted through lecturer-led lectures (24 hours) and tutorial workshops (12 hours); web-based learning (15 hours) and through the guided use of student-centred learning resources (85 hours). Practical classes and small group work (4 hours) will be used to consolidate the students learning with guidance for directed activities (10 hours).

1. You will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of study design and its practical application in nutritional research.
2. You will construct a project proposal with an appraisal of the background literature showing understanding of study design, confounding, dietary assessment tools and demonstrate an understanding of statistical analysis.
3. You will become more familiar with the professional body requirements for code of conduct and ethics.
4. You will demonstrate skills to support the enhancement of employability and make informed decisions about their choices of further study and identify specific skills requiring further development
5. You will demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and be identifiable as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible throughout all assessments.

This module will be formatively and summatively assessed by:
1. Oral presentation (20%) (5 minutes) of the project proposal with formative feedback.
2. Project proposal (80%) (1500 words)

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/6A26D78D-4D29-7030-78E0-0FCDCDA7D851.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

Core Text:
Lovegrove J, Hodson L, Sharma S and Lanham-New S. 2015. Nutrition Research Methodologies. London Wiley-Blackwell.
Other Texts:
Bland M., 2015. An Introduction to Medical Statistics.4thEd. Oxford: OUP.
Cargill M. and O'Connor P., 2013. Writing scientific research articles: strategy and steps. 2nd Ed. London: Wiley-Blackwell.
Creswell J., 2013. Research Design. 4th Ed. London: Sage.
Journals: