Even after you leave this course you are going to encounter nutrition information and will have to use the skills gained in this course to compare it to research, recommendations and practice, and to decide what you think about based on your own health and nutrition values. The final assessment in this course gives you the opportunity to do a deeper dive into a nutrition topic of your choice, and to present your findings and summary in writing.
For Discussion Paper Five, you can research any topic related to nutrition that you’d like, but please consider:
- That there is enough research on the topic
- That you can frame the topic within the suggested outline of the assignment
- That you did not cover the topic in-depth in another Discussion Paper
Here are some ideas of papers from past classes, and example papers will be posted.
- Added sugars: Do we really have the research to document their impact on chronic diseases
- Probiotics: what does the research say vs. current trends
- Sin Taxes: How taxes on what we eat, and drink is affecting consumption
- Genetically Modified Foods: Pros and Cons
- Sustainable Nutrition: The impact of our diet on our carbon footprint and the environment
- Coffee: Is it good or bad for our health?
Or come up with your own topic! Please contact the instructor if you have questions about your proposed topic sooner, rather than later.
Step One
Conduct a brief literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles, relevant news articles, and other professional and credible statements on the topic. As noted in the Syllabus, in general for a research paper, 3 sources per page of writing should be used. There should be a balance of literature from both sides of the nutrition topic you are presenting.
Step Two
Present your findings. Your research brief should include background on the issue, pros vs. cons, and a summary of your findings. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a traditional pro/con, you can also present two sides of a nutrition issue. The point of the paper is not that there is one right answer for any of these topics, but rather to demonstrate your skills of breaking down nutrition information, how it’s presented, and deciding your own opinion on the topic.
Deliverables
Write a two-page minimum, five-page maximum doubled spaced discussion summary of the material.
- Your summary should include a well-thought-out narrative that displays your ability to critically think about the topic you chose to research.
- Cite any articles or sources that you decide you want to add to your discussion paper. Please refer to the citation requirements in the Syllabus.
Rubric
SPHU 2300 Discussion Paper Rubric
| SPHU 2300 Discussion Paper Rubric | ||
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuality of Presentation | 10.0 to >9.0 pts Exemplary Writing or presentation is excellent, with clarity, cohesion, and concision making reading or observing the work by others easy to digest and comprehend. 9.0 to >8.0 pts Proficient Writing or presentation is well done but may have one or two passages that aren’t as clear, cohesive, or concise, making reading or observing the work by others slightly difficult to digest and comprehend. 8.0 to >7.0 pts Developing Writing or presentation is well done in most areas but may have several passages that aren’t as clear, cohesive, or concise, making reading or observing the work by others somewhat difficult to digest and comprehend. 7.0 to >0.0 pts Below Expectations Writing or presentation lacks clarity, cohesion, or concision in many areas and makes reading or observing the work by others difficult to digest and comprehend. 0.0 pts Absent or Not Submitted | 10.0 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeVoice and Tone | 10.0 to >9.0 pts Exemplary Writing or presentation appeals to the target audience, keeps the audience’s attention, and is interesting to read or observe by fellow students and the professor. 9.0 to >8.0 pts Proficient Writing or presentation appeals to the target audience, keeps the audience’s attention with one or two exceptions, and is interesting to read or observe by fellow students and the professor. 8.0 to >7.0 pts Developing Writing or presentation appeals to the target audience but fails to keep the audience’s attention in several key areas, making it slightly difficult to read or observe by fellow students and the professor. 7.0 to >0.0 pts Below Expectations Writing or presentation lacks appeal to the target audience and fails to keep the audience’s attention in multiple areas making it very difficult to read or observe by fellow students and the professor. 0.0 pts Absent or Not Submitted | 10.0 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCritical Analysis | 10.0 to >9.0 pts Exemplary Student has self-awareness of own expertise and engages well-chosen expert examples to address assignment purpose. Writing or presentation includes corroborating and/or conflicting facts or points of view, historical evidence, and statistical data for support. 9.0 to >8.0 pts Proficient Student generally has self-awareness of own expertise and engages well-chosen expert examples to address assignment purpose. Writing or presentation may lack one or two corroborating and/or conflicting facts or points of view, historical evidence, and statistical data for support. 8.0 to >7.0 pts Developing Student generally has self-awareness of own expertise but could have chosen better expert examples to address assignment purpose. Writing or presentation may lack two or more corroborating and/or conflicting facts or points of view, historical evidence, and statistical data for support. 7.0 to >0.0 pts Below Expectations Student lacks self-awareness of own expertise and the examples chosen to address assignment purpose lack expertise. Writing or presentation may lack numerous corroborating and/or conflicting facts or points of view, historical evidence, and statistical data for support. 0.0 pts Absent or Not Submitted | 10.0 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAcademic Integrity / Ethical Behavior | 10.0 to >9.0 pts Exemplary Writing or presentation is accurate, professional, and is conscious of negative or inflammatory tone. All works are cited and formatted properly. 9.0 to >8.0 pts Proficient Writing or presentation is accurate, professional, and is conscious of negative or inflammatory tone. Works are cited and formatted properly with one or two exceptions. 8.0 to >7.0 pts Developing Writing or presentation may lack some accuracy, professionalism, or include some negative or inflammatory tone. Works are cited and formatted properly with two or more exceptions. 7.0 to >0.0 pts Below Expectations Writing or presentation shows substantial lack of accuracy, professionalism, or includes negative or inflammatory tone. Work may have several citation and formatting issues. 0.0 pts Absent or Not Submitted | 10.0 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar and Spelling Conventions | 10.0 to >9.0 pts Exemplary Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are impeccable. 9.0 to >8.0 pts Proficient One to three grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling issues are found. 8.0 to >7.0 pts Developing Three or more grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling issues are found. 7.0 to >0.0 pts Below Expectations Substantial grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling issues are found. 0.0 pts Absent or Not Submitted | 10.0 pts |
| Total Points: 50.0 |