Thesis statement: “This paper will summarize and discuss several scientific articles providing evidence that a diet that is high in fiber may reduce a person’s risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes.”

Here is a link to my lecture slides discussing the assignment: CC_review paper-2.pptx

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Here is an example outline for the paper: Research paper outline.docx

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This assignment is to write a concise 5 page paper summarizing your research question on a nutrient and the impact on one aspect of health.  Your paper should include at least 5 references using proper citation method (either MLA or APA) – the reference page can be outside of your 5 page limit so can be an additional page.  Your research on one nutrient should include your critique and analysis of at least 3 or more peer reviewed professional scientific original research journal articles investigating the effects of that nutrient on the specific aspect of health you chose  – these 3 peer reviewed scientific original research studies are part of your 5 or more references for this project.  Original research studies from peer reviewed journals will include methods and results that you can analyze and critique to determine if the study provides quality evidence or support for your question in the development of your research question. Review articles are not the same as original research studies although they can provide useful background information and provide references to good original research studies. One way to think of your paper is as a “mini” review article.

FORMAT is double spaced with 1 inch margins, using a font size of 12.

BE SURE TO INCLUDE:
A 5 page written paper that flows, is organized, develops well to support for the evidence about your research question and conclusion about the impact of your chosen nutrient on your chosen aspect of health.  Your paper should demonstrate the use of proper English, grammar and citations within the paper to give proper credit to your sources of information, as well as effectively communicate your question and how the evidence you provided supports your conclusion(s). You must also include a complete bibliography or list of references using proper citation method (APA OR MLA).

The grading rubric for this paper is included for you to review- this explains how your paper will be graded.

Submit your paper electronically in Canvas – you will not be handing in your paper but submitting it as a word document (be sure it has the .docx at the end of the file name).

You are expected to:

1. Complete your review and literature search about your question.  Read thoroughly each of your research papers and references.  Analyze and critique their methods and results.  Formulate your own conclusions and develop support for these conclusions to write about in your paper.

2. Your paper should clearly introduce your question and nutrient including a clear thesis statement, BRIEFLY critique and summarize the research/ support you found about your question/thesis (approximately 1-2 paragraphs per study discussed) and end with a summary of your findings and your conclusion/opinion based on the evidence discussed.  You can also end your paper with a short analysis of how your current diet fits in with this question and what if anything you might want to change about your diet, along with how you plan to accomplish those changes.  So apply the information you have gained to yourself.

Remember while writing your paper the following:

1. Briefly critique and summarize in your, the student’s, own words the information in the research articles and references by giving your summary position. 
   DO NOT restate or regurgitate the information. Do not use quotations! Read it and think about it so that you can summarize how and why it supports your question!!! 
   REMEMBER to properly cite/ reference another’s work, ideas or thoughts                                                           You must analyze/discuss 3 ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLES, not reviews. Make sure you know the difference.

2.  Be sure all your articles are on the same nutrient – you are investigating your own question/thesis about A NUTRIENT. Unrelated references do not count – if you do not use one of your references, it does not count and should NOT be in your reference list!  Good sources for peer reviewed journal research studies include our campus library and Pubmed. 

3. Demonstrate a clear understanding and analysis of the material.

4. Some items to consider when critiquing the research include (you do not need to include all of these in your paper but need to address them in your analysis/ decision in order to come up with your own conclusions):
   a.  Identify the researchers conducting the study (Is there any indication of their credentials, the academic institution they work for, past research in the area, source of funding?).  Could anything you found affect the study design, interpretation of results or lead to any bias?  Was there conflict of interest (i.e. receiving funding from product being tested)?
   b.  From the introduction identify the purpose of the study and research question that was being tested.  Was the question answered adequately?
   c.  Carefully read the methodology of the study.  What type of study was it (epidemiological, case control, intervention, clinical trial, etc.)?  Was there a control and experimental group?  Where the groups randomized?  Was the study double blind?  What was the sample size?  Were the methods appropriate for testing their research question?  Are there flaws in the study design?
   d.  Look at the results section to see what they actually measured and what they actually found.
   e.  In reading the discussion be sure to form your own opinions about the research and results beforehand.   Did their conclusions extend beyond their actual findings (discussion extend beyond the actual results)?  Did they actually test what they intended to test?  Were the methods used appropriate?   Are there flaws in their interpretation of results?

5. Include complete bibliographical information for these articles (ALWAYS reference your source using proper citation, which must include citing sources of information within your paper as well as having a bibliography of your sources at the end).   For additional information on proper citation of sources visit our library

6. You will receive an F on any paper that demonstrates plagiarism – or is not your own work.  A paper that contains more than 30% as direct quotes will NOT be considered your own work.