Assignment 1
Unit Title Nutritional Status & Health Issues Unit Code 32NSH001
Assessment ID 1CWK30 Weight Factor (%) 30%
Learning outcomes to be assessed through this work
1. Apply an in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of nutritional status measurement and assessment techniques.
Programme Title
MSc Nutrition and Health
Tutors
Dr Sumaiya Patel & Dr Helen Collett
Submission date
17th February 2017
Feedback Policy
Students will receive their feedback via Moodle Upload and face to face in a tutorial if necessary
Submission Location
Please submit all assignments electronically via Moodle submission area. Submit in Word (not pdf) format using Arial 12 point font and 1.5 line spacing.
Penalties for exceeding word count on written submissions See marking guidance
Support Arrangements In the week-by-week delivery scheme there are a number of opportunities identified for coursework support within practical sessions. Students with PLPs should contact Unit Leader to arrange a one-to-one session where coursework support appropriate for PLP will be discussed.
Confirmation of Moderation This assignment was scrutinised by the Assessment Moderation Panel and is considered as appropriate for the level of study and credit value of the unit.
Date of Panel Meeting
Name of approved internal moderator
Instruction to students:
Students will write a 1500 word critical evaluation piece on one of following body composition assessment methods:
1. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA)
OR 2. BodPod
And critically compare the chosen method with routine anthropometric measures of height, weight [BMI], waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio.
Assessment Objective/Rationale:
The purpose of this assessment is for students to familiarise themselves with body composition methods and to understand the strengths and limitations of these. In addition, students should be able to recognise the use and value of the assessment method in clinical and research settings.
Furthermore, this assessment will help to prepare students for the second assignment providing constructive feedback on areas to improve.
Assessment Task:
Students will write a 1500 word critical evaluation piece with support of previous research and discuss and compare the strength and limitations of the selected method. Relevant and up to date journal references are required to be included.
The assessment should include a clear description of one of the methods, evaluation of purpose and uses, descriptions of use in different population groups and its use in different settings.
The following is a suggested structure for the assessment.
- Introduction: include a very brief introduction of the contents of the assessment and introduce the assessment methods (i.e. chosen method & routine anthropometric measures).
- Evaluate: describe, in detail, the chosen assessment method (i.e. BIA or BodPod), including description of its uses, purpose, validity and reliability. This section should also include a comparison and discussion of the strengths and limitations of the methods (i.e. BIA or BodPod) with routine anthropometric measures
- Conclusion: include a brief conclusion of the ideas presented in the critical evaluation

Marking scheme of MSc course work 1
Assessment Criteria:
• The ability to critically evaluate scientific information and methods
• The ability to write scientifically
• To demonstrate evidence of independent learning
CRITICAL EVALUATION ESSAY Marks awarded:
Introduction
Includes an introduction of the assessment and a description of the body composition assessment methods
/20
Evaluate one method ((i.e. BIA or BodPod) in detail with the support of evidence base. Include a comparison and discussion of the strengths and limitations of selected method with routine measures.
/70
Structure, academic writing style and references
Is the work well structured, planned and within the word limit, with good academic writing throughout?
Was work supported and cited appropriately using the MMU Harvard style of referencing?
/10
TOTAL
/100



Unit Title: ……………………………… Assessment No/Type: ……………………………… Name of Student/ID: ………………………………
Grade band Descriptor 1
Apply skills of critical analysis to real world situations within a defined range of contexts Descriptor 2
Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism* eg initiative, creativity, motivation, professional practice and self management. Descriptor 6
Find, evaluate, synthesise and use information from a variety of sources
86%-100% Novel and complex problems are evaluated thoroughly with reference to theory and practice, generating original solutions, expressed with clarity There is evidence of the ability to work autonomously and creatively with reference to professional standards and values, reflecting critically on their own practice. A complex and innovative project is designed, planned and carried out meticulously to gather and synthesise useful information from a wide range of appropriate primary and secondary sources to produce original outcomes of publishable standards
70%-85% Novel and complex problems are evaluated with reference to theory and practice, generating original solution There is evidence of the ability to work autonomously and imaginatively with reference to professional standards and values, reflecting critically on their own practice. A complex project is designed, planned and carried out thoroughly to gather useful information from a wide range of appropriate primary and secondary sources and synthesise the results to produce workable outcomes
60%-69% Novel and complex problems are solved confidently with reference to theory and practice There is evidence of the ability to work autonomously with reference to professional standards and values, reflecting critically on their own practice. A project is carefully planned and carried out to gather useful information from appropriate primary and secondary sources and synthesise the results
50%-59% Novel and complex problems are solved with reference to theory and practice There is evidence of the ability to work with reference to professional standards and values, reflecting critically on their own practice. A project is planned and carried out to gather information from appropriate primary and secondary sources and synthesise the results
45%-49% Attempts to solve novel and complex problems are partial, with limited reference to theory and practice There is evidence of a limited attempt to work as an autonomous professional who reflects on their own practice Partial attempt to plan and/or carry out projects which gather information from appropriate primary and secondary sources
20%-44% Attempts to solve novel and complex problems are inadequate, with little reference to theory and practice There is limited evidence of any attempt to work as an autonomous professional who reflects on their own practice Limited attempt to plan and/or carry out projects which gather information from appropriate primary and secondary sources
0%-19% There is little or no evidence of any attempt to solve novel and complex problems with little or no reference to theory and practice There is little or no evidence of working as an autonomous professional who reflects on their own practice Little or no attempt to plan and/or carry out projects which gather information from appropriate primary and secondary sources
Comments: Mark:
You did really well on ….