This assignment meets General Education Learning Outcome, GELO 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the methods and limits of scientific investigation.
This assignment meets General Education Learning Outcome, GELO 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the methods and limits of scientific investigation.
Purpose: This assignment will help you learn how to read research articles critically. Answer the following questions for this research article:
Steenkamp, L., Lategan, R., & Raubenheimer, J. (2015). The impact of ready-to-use-supplementary food (RUSF) in targeted supplementation of children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). South African Family Practice, 57, 322-325.
You can also download the article from the assignment in Canvas or find it here: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20786190.2015.1078153#aHR0cDovL3d3dy50YW5kZm9ubGluZS5jb20vZG9pL3BkZi8xMC4xMDgwLzIwNzg2MTkwLjIwMTUuMTA3ODE1M0BAQDA= (Note: link does not work on my Mac for the regular PDF; the interactive version will open).
Instructions:
Please answer the questions below in essay format. Do NOT include the questions . The essay should be at least 3 pages typed, double-spaced. Use Times New Roman, 12 pt font. Use your own words to discuss, using information from the article.
1. What is the research problem? Why was this research conducted?
2. What is/are the hypothesis/hypotheses stated by the author(s)? If a hypothesis is not given, what was the objective?
3. A. Who were study participants? B. What were the inclusion/exclusion criteria?
4. What was the study design? (briefly describe)
5. What were the results? (briefly describe)
6. Did the results support the authors’ hypothesis/hypotheses? Why or why not?
7. What was/were the limitation(s) and strength(s) discussed by the author(s)?
8. A. What conclusion(s) did the author(s) make? B. How can the research findings be applied? If no applications were suggested by the authors, in 3rd person describe how you think the findings could be applied. Based on this study and past research discussed in the Introduction, what are directions for future research?
Grading Rubric
Question #1: Describe background and importance
| Showed thorough understanding of research problem | Showed limited understanding | Did not show understanding |
| 2 | 1 | 0 |
Question #2: Hypothesis or Objective
| Accurately and completely articulated authors’ hypothesis or objective | Partially articulated | Unable to articulate |
| 2 | 1 | 0 |
Question #3: Study Participants
| Accurately and completely described study participants and inclusion/exclusion criteria | Partially described | Unable to describe |
| 2 | 1 | 0 |
Question #4: Study design
| Showed thorough understanding of study design | Showed limited understanding | Did not show understanding |
| 3 | 1-2 | 0 |
Question #5: Summarize results
| Showed thorough understanding of study results | Showed limited understanding | Did not show understanding |
| 3 | 1-2 | 0 |
Question #6: Results vs hypothesis
| Accurately and completely articulated whether results supported hypothesis | Partially articulated | Unable to articulate |
| 2 | 1 | 0 |
Question #7: Limitations and Strengths
| Accurately and completely articulated study limitations and strengths | Partially articulated | Unable to articulate |
| 3 | 1-2 | 0 |
Question #8: Conclusion and future research
| Accurately articulated conclusion and identified future research directions | Partially analyzed | Unable to analyze |
| 3 | 1-2 | 0 |
Following directions and format
| Followed directions, acceptable turnitin.com, APA format | Followed most but not all directions. | Major flaws in directions. |
| 2 | 1 | 0 |
Writing, syntax, spelling, grammar
| Well written | Some errors in writing, syntax, spelling and/or grammar | Major flaws in writing, syntax, spelling and/or grammar |
| 3 | 1-2 | 0 |
NuFS 139: Interpreting and analyzing a research study Page 1 of 2
