HNSC 2000: Research Methods and Presentation Winter 2025
Instructor: Dr. Amanda Gomes Almeida Sá

Assignment #2 – Instructions

DUE April 4th, 2025 by 9:30 am

Worth: 10% of final mark

The Assignment #1 Fulfills the following Learning Objectives (described in Course Syllabus):
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of data analysis and interpretation in research
5. Identify presentation styles that explain research findings to different audiences.

Goal: The purpose of this assignment is to introduce you to the process of writing a research proposal.
Do not replicate a previously published study.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Find a partner to do this assignment. You may choose your partners; however, if you do not have
a partner, you will be assigned one. Submit your pairs’ names by March 5, 2025.

Step 2: Select a research topic related to food security in a specific population in Manitoba (e.g., children,
mothers, etc.), and decide on a specific research question.

Step 3: Decide on a research strategy (i.e., qualitative/quantitative? Specific research methods?)

Step 4: Conduct a literature review to introduce the reader to the topic and to justify your research
question. The literature review should include a minimum of 3 credible sources (e.g., assigned readings
for the course; textbooks; academic papers from published journals; and/or electronic sources
(periodicals, databases, data sets) - be careful that these are credible!). Please follow the most recent
(7th ed.) APA format for the citation style.

Step 5: Write the research proposal (12 double-spaced pages, NOT including title page or references, and
12-point Times New Roman font). Please see next page for headings and formatting.

Step 6: Complete and submit the proposal (.pdf or .docx) in UM Learn (April 4th, 2025 by 9:30 am).

EVALUATION:
Your proposal will be assessed on content, organization, and style, according to the instructions. In
addition to overall writing quality, proposals are read and assessed based on the level of effort and
analysis evident. Conformity to APA format will be marked strictly on this assignment. You must
complete the required number of pages for the body of your paper. The adequacy of the title page and
reference list will be assessed as well. See Rubrics for more details on the how this assignment will be
assessed.

ASSIGNMENT VALUE:
The total value of this assignment is 10 marks and represents 10% of the final grade for this course.

DEADLINES AND LATE PENALTIES:
Assignment must be submitted before the due date and time. Late submissions will receive a deduction
of 10% per day late. This will include weekends and statutory holiday dates. Extensions may be granted
in extraordinary circumstances but will only be considered if presented to the instructor before the
assignment due date.
HNSC 2000: Research Methods and Presentation Winter 2025
Instructor: Dr. Amanda Gomes Almeida Sá


Formatting

Page 1: Title Page
- Page number (top tight header)
- Title of research proposal (bold)
- Student’s name
- Faculty/Institutions
- Course
- Instructor’s name
- Date submission or Due date

Page 2 (and continuing):
- First line: Title of research proposal (bold and centered)

- First heading (bold and left): The problem

- Next heading (bold and left): Proposed solution and research question

- Next heading (bold and left): Project hypothesis/hypotheses

- Next heading (bold and left): Background (Literature review)

- Next heading (bold and left): Overall objective

- Next heading (bold and left): Specific objectives (include the proposed methodology – population/data
collection method, how the data would be analyzed – and a timeline for each specific objective)

- Next heading (bold and left): Novelty and anticipated outcomes (how this research would contribute to
the nutrition field)

- Next heading (bold and left): Ethical considerations

- Next heading (bold and left): Knowledge dissemination plan


Last page: References (APA 7th ed.)


HNSC 2000: Research Methods and Presentation Winter 2025
Instructor: Dr. Amanda Gomes Almeida Sá

Rubric:

Category Proposal Content & Organization Formatting & Style Proposal Title & Focus Presentation & Grammar
Unsatisfactory –
most or all
elements missing
Proposal lacks flow; detail is
neither clear nor pertinent.
Inaccurate information. Did not
follow the instructions.
0 – 1.0
Way above or below the page
allowance. Single-spaced or > double-
spaced for most of the document.
Incorrect font used for most of the
document. Did not adhere to APA 7th
edition format (> 6 errors).
0 – 0.5
Title not informative or
appropriate. Focus of
proposal is missing or very
unclear.

0 – 0.5
Very poor presentation and
grammar

Minus 0.75
Approaching
satisfactory –
some elements
present
Detail lacking, unclear or not
pertinent. Does not follow focus.
Some incorrect information.
Somewhat followed the
instructions.
1.0 – 3.0
Above or below the page allowance.
Spacing accurate for parts of the
document. Somewhat adheres to APA
7th edition format (3-4 errors).
0.5 – 1.0
Title is somewhat
informative. Focus of
proposal is unclear.

0.5 – 1.0
Several presentation and
grammar issues

Minus 0.5
Satisfactory –
most elements
present
Proposal has adequate detail and
somewhat follows topic, but not
exceptionally engaging.
Information mostly accurate.
Mostly followed the instructions.
3.0 – 5.0

Close to the page allowance. Spacing
accurate for most of the document.
Mostly adheres to APA 7th edition
format (1-2 errors).
1.0 – 1.5
Title and focus are
informative & present, but
only moderately engaging.

1.0 – 1.5
Few presentation and
grammar issues

Minus 0.25
Superior –
Completed as
instructed
Proposal follows topic, clearly
written, very engaging. All
food/nutrition information
accurate. Clearly followed the
instructions.

5.0 – 6.0
Meets page allowance. Double-spaced
formatting. Adheres to APA 7th edition
format.
1.5 – 2.0
Title is very engaging &
describes content very well.
Focus of proposal is very
clear.

1.5 – 2.0
No presentation or grammar
issues; very well-written

0
TOTAL /10.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 0.0




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