HNE-35806 Methodology Nutritional Research

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Basics Nutrition and Applied Nutrition (knowledge should cover at least 80% of chapters from handbook "Human Nutrition and Dietetics" by Garrow, James and Ralph; 10th ed, 2000) Basic and Advanced Statistics.

Contents:

Deepening and extension of methodological aspects related to nutritional research: the research cycle; common designs in nutritional research; observational surveys and experimental trials; methods on food consumption, energy expenditure, physical activity, body composition and growth, functional performances, and on assessment of nutritional status; research on biological materials; laboratory quality control; biochemical indicators of food intake .

Aims:

Insight in logical rules, methodological prescriptions, requirements and recommendations at various stages of nutritional research. Insight in factors that may determine the choice for research object (e.g. animal, human), and for methods and designs to be used. Being able to assess, elaborate, interpret, and evaluate indicators of food consumption, nutritional status, and of physical and mental performances. Being able to give critical comments to nutritional research as published in scientific literature.

Activities:

The work forms are 18 hours of lectures (C), 12 hours of tutorials (SW) and 12 hours of practicals (PI) .

Examination:

Tutorials (SW) and practicals (PI) are obligatory. The exam consists of 6 open questions (open book exam) and the questions are directly related to given scientific articles on nutritional research.

Literature:

Course reader including manuals and literature will be available at the WUR Shop. The course is supported by a digital Blackboard learning environment.