Final Research Paper

Final Research Paper

The report should be typewritten, error-free, and prepared meticulously according to APA style. It will be written in past-tense since the experiment has been completed. The sections to include are:

Items to Include in Your Research Paper:

Title Page: Title page should include the title, researchers’ names, Class Title (NUTR 4347) and Date.

The title should not be in question format. It should be a statement.

The title should not be “cute” or “catchy.

The title should be concise and tell anyone that reads it exactly what your study is about.

Abstract:

Should state objectives of the study, a concise description of the experiment, major findings, results, and conclusions. Do not cite references. Do not exceed 200 words. Single-spaced. Give 5 key words for indexing.

Introduction

This section contains your review of literature and leads into a statement of the objective. Make sure your objective can be accomplished. This section needs to build a case for the experiment/justify the experiment. You should include results from the research journal articles you were required to use. Articles should not be more than 5 years old. A minimum of 5 journal articles are to be referenced. At lease 3 of the 5 journal articles must be food science based (meaning the other 2 can be in regard to the health benefits of your ingredient substitution). The last sentence should state the objective of your study. (ex: The purpose of this study was to……). This section should be 4-5 pages.

Materials and Methods

Step-by-step instructions on how you will carry out your research (Do NOT use words such as “we” or “I”): “Beans were mashed”, NOT “we mashed the beans.”

Explains where recipes will be cooked/baked (kitchen of researcher’s home)

how ingredients will be obtained (all ingredients will be submitted to the NHHS department for purchase as listed in Appendix…..)

explains the two recipes that will be used

details how the recipes will be made

Remember to include how ingredients will be weighed/measured

Includes any kitchen utensils, cookware, bakeware, equipment to be used

Includes exact cooking temperatures and times, mixing times or number of strokes, etc.

How far in advance will the food items be made prior to serving to sensory panel

How samples will be selected

How items will be transferred to serving dish to be presented to your sensory panel

Type/color/ of plate, bowl, glass, flatware to be used

Explain codes used for each panelists for each sample and how the samples will be coded (will you write on the plate or will you use stickers on the plates, etc)

How items will be kept at proper temperature between preparation and sampling

This should be very detailed. Any person with the same knowledge of food science that you possess should be able to repeat your experiment identically without having to speak with you.

Subjects/Sensory Testing

Just simply state that you will seek out 3 panelists (from you home, your neighborhood, Lamar University, etc) to participate in your study and how you will address possible food allergies. Include information about how you contacted your panelists to invite them to participate.

Explain where the panelists will meet (NHHS atrium, your home, your church, etc), the date and time.

Explain the script you will read to your panelist explaining exactly what to sample, tool(s) used to rate the sample, if and how they will cleanse their palate, etc.

How much time will lapse between each “run” provided to the panelists.

Explain any “special” arrangements you will make (ex: red lighting, poster boards to separate panelists, blindfolds, etc).

For this class, we will do 3 runs of each recipe. This means each panelist will taste 3 samples from your original recipe and 3 samples from your revised recipe. You will most likely have 3 panelists, 18 total samples.

Objective Testing

Explain what objective testing will be done/what you will be testing for

Explain equipment/tools needed

Results and Discussion

In a short report, the two sections are combined. In a thesis, they are usually separate sections. Tables and figures allow you to present a lot of information in a small space. You should create all your tables and figures before you ever start to write the results.

Tables – create according to APA style. The title of a table is very important. It should be able to stand alone, if the table is lifted from the report. You must refer to the table in the text. Do not repeat in the text what you have presented in a table. The text should summarize, emphasize, and comment on what is presented in the table. Every single bit of data does not have to be presented in tabular form. Also, as a general rule, you don’t present raw data, only means, frequencies, etc. Don’t have numerous small tables. You can develop a table that shows the results of several types of measurements, creating a few large tables rather than a number of small ones. Tables are placed after they are first mentioned in the text. They are numbered consecutively throughout the text. Use side headings and column headings to identify variables. Give units of measurement at the top of the columns for all variables. Use examples of tables in your text and in articles from the Journal of Food Science to guide you. Line up decimal points. Place 0 before decimals. Don’t carry out the numbers to more significant figures than you measured in the actual experiment. Follow standard rounding rules.

Figures- can consist of instrument tracings, photos, graphs (plotted curves, histograms, bar graphs). Figures are excellent ways to show trends and relationships. Number them consecutively through the report. Use exact titles and adequate legends. Figures, like tables, should be able to stand-alone. You must refer to the figures in the text. Don’t use more than three curves on a line graph.

Conclusion:

this can be included at the end of the results and discussion; it does not need to be a separate section. Here, you can make recommendations for further study, if they are realistic.

References

Every reference cited in your introduction should be included in your references.

Every reference listed should be included in your introduction.

Remember, you must go back to the original resource.

Appendices

Ingredient list

Make sure you have calculated all ingredients to include the original recipe and the recipe with your substitution and that it is enough to provide each panelist (3) with 3 samples from each recipe (that is a total of 9 samples from each recipe).

Equipment/tool list

Should include everything you need from measuring cups, pots/baking dishes, food processer, mixer, spatula, etcShould include # of utensils/ equipment

Be specific

Ex: 1- ½ teaspoon measuring spoon

Ex: 1 wire whisk

Ex: 2 metal slotted spatulas

Original Recipe

Revised Recipe

Script for Panelist ( 2 separate pages)

First page should be a simple letter thanking the panelists for participating, the date, time and location to meet, what they should not eat, drink, etc prior to arriving (ex: no smoking, chewing gum, using tobacco 20 minutes prior to testing). This will be the actual letter you provide either in person or via email.

Second page should be the actual script you will read to your panelists on the day of the testing that explains what they will be served, how they should go about sampling/scoring the samples. If you want them to cleanse their palate between samples then explain how they will do that. If there are any special rules you want them to follow (ex: we ask that you refrain from talking to one another while tasting the samples) then explain that. Explain if there will be a time lapse between sample tastings. Explain how they are to complete the scorecards. Explain to them when or how they will be dismissed. You should NOT, in any way, explain to them or let them know the difference in the recipes.

Tools/scorecards

This should be the actual tool or scorecard you plan to use.

Your Research Project is worth 30% of your overall grade for this course. Take it seriously, put forth great effort and have fun with it!

Review the rubric before submitting your work to make sure you have taken into consideration every portion of the rubric. You want to earn as many points as possible.

Presentation of Research Project Poster

Following items must be displayed: Abstract, Purpose(s), Outline of Methods and Materials, Outline of Results, Conclusions. Use photographs, tables, figures as appropriate.