2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FOOD3060 Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature

10 Credits Class Size: 150

Module manager: Prof. Michael Rappolt
Email: m.rappolt@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of Year 2 of BSc Food programme.

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will have carried out an in depth review of the application of fundamental scientific principles to the study of a given problem in the field of food studies, nutrition, diet and health. Students will be able to critically assess scientific material.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module the student will be able to:
1. Carry out library and on-line searches.
2. Plan a literature review.
3. Reference correctly.
4. Show an ability to critically review primary literature.
5. Be able to read and write in an adequate scientific manner.

Skills outcomes

Library skills for searching and retrieval of specific information; communication skills; technical and scientific writing skills; interpretation and assessment of data and published research work.

Syllabus

Students will be given training in library searching techniques, referencing, and in scientific reading and writing. Students will be given an ample choice of subjects, which are topics in food science, nutrition, or in diet and health. Further training will help define the scope of the review and to provide summaries and critical accounts of aspects of the subject.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Meetings 4 1 4
Lecture 1 1 1
Seminar 2 2 4
Private study hours 91
Total Contact hours 9
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 100

Private study

Workshops on Scientific reading and writing, workshop on literature searching, associated reading and preparation of report. Meetings with supervisor to discuss plan and progress throughout the semesters.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress is tested by the literature search workbook (submission in week 5) and by handing in a literature review plan (submission in week 6). The submission of all components is compulsory to pass the module. Without submission of the plan, students will fail the module.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Written Work Literature workbook. Compulsory submission to pass the module.
Essay or Dissertation Final report of the research project. 100
Written Work Literature plan. Compulsory to pass the module.
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Resit will be by resubmission of review. The submission of all components is compulsory to pass the module. Without submission of the plan, students will fail the module.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 29/04/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team