Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Mode of Delivery
In person:
- There are no set meeting times for this course. Student(s) will meet individually with the instructor weekly
- If you need to attend meeting via Zoom, due to illness or other excused absences, here is Daryl’s personal Zoom link:
- https://wilmington.zoom.us/j/3722916687?pwd=VWxqTk54UjFxR2dQNERsWmpjU0phdz09
- meeting ID: 372 291 6687; passcode: 2Ebwzk
Contact Information
- No textbook is required for the course.
- Gain knowledge of and apply scientific research methods.
- Understand the differences between popular press articles and peer-reviewed scientific research literature.
- Learn how to read and gain experience reading peer-reviewed scientific research literature.
- Gain experience writing reviews of peer-reviewed scientific research literature.
- Conduct research in the field of animal agriculture.
- Construct a research poster summarizing research conducted in the field of animal agriculture.
- Write a paper for publication summarizing research conducted in the field of animal agriculture.
Tentative Schedule for Fall 2026
Week of: Topic(s)
August 24 initial meeting
August 31 Research meeting
September 7 Research meeting
LABOR DAY
Research Proposal due
September 14 Research meeting
September 21 Research meeting
Tuesday-Thursday FARM SCIENCE REVIEW
September 28 Research meeting
Research Article Summary & Analysis due
October 5 Research meeting
October 12 Research meeting
October 19 SPRING BREAK
October 26 Research meeting
Research Article Redesign due
November 2 Research meeting
November 9 Research meeting
Research Poster due (if necessary)
November 16 Research meeting
Research Paper due (if necessary)
November 23 THANKSGIVING BREAK
November 30 Research meeting
December 7 Research meeting
December 4 Research Paper & Poster Revisions due (if necessary)
Grading Activities
| Research proposal | 50 points |
| Research article summary & analysis | 50 points |
| Research article redesign | 50 points |
| Progress reports (3 @ 20 points each) | 60 points |
| Comparison of popular press and peer-reviewed articles | 40 points |
| Research poster | 50 points |
| Research paper | 50 points |
Total: | 350 points |
Assignments
- Unless otherwise indicated, turn assignments in via Blackboard or cloud-based storage. Do not email assignments.
- Due dates will be given on homework assignments; 2 points will be deducted from a homework grade for each day it is late
- The assignments are significant, they account for 100% of the total grade
- ***The Research Poster or the Research Paper may not be part of the final grade if the proposed study is approved and the research will take more than one semester to complete. If that is the case final drafts of these assignments may be part of the grade for a future semester of Research Participation
Research proposal:
The purpose of this assignment is for student(s) to gain experience developing proposals for research they wish to conduct.
Grading rubric:
| Criteria: | Points |
| Title of proposed research | 5 |
| Summary of research topic, including previous research | 5 |
| Hypothesis to be tested | 10 |
| Timeline | 10 |
| Materials needed | 10 |
| Laboratory procedures and data analysis | 10 |
Total Points | 50 |
Research Article Summary & Analysis:
Students will read published research articles and provide a summary and analysis of each. The summary part includes:
a) purpose of the study
b) research questions
c) conceptual framework
d) research methods
e) results
Note that students should write their summary based on their own language and should not copy and paste sentences from the article. Simply copying and pasting sentences from the article is plagiarizing. In the analysis part, students are asked to apply the principles of research design covered in this course to critique the article. This should include analysis of how variables have been operationalized, selection and treatment of participants, collection and analysis of data and threats to internal and external validity and reliability of results.
Grading rubric:
| Criteria: | Points |
| Did you choose an appropriate article? | 10 |
| How clearly and concisely did you provide a summary of the selected article? | 10 |
| How logical are you in analyzing the selected article? | 10 |
| In terms of the analysis, to what extent did you analyze threats, bias, and control? | 10 |
| To what extent do you accurately use research terminology in this assignment? | 10 |
Total Points | 50 |
Research Article Redesign:
This assignment extends the Research Article Summaries & Analysis assignment. It is based on the article that each student chose for that assignment. As part of the research article analysis, student(s) are asked to redesign the article. Namely, student(s) will suggest an alternative method for addressing the research problem addressed in the original article. For the alternative study, student(s) will frame research questions(s) and adjust any other aspect of the original study required to execute the research using the selected alternative methodology.
Grading rubric:
| Criteria | Score |
| How logically are you suggesting an alternative study? | 10 |
| How clearly are you addressing your research question(s)? | 10 |
| How well does the conceptual framework guide your alternative study? | 10 |
| How appropriately are you choosing methods to investigate the research question(s)? | 10 |
| How well did you integrate all parts (research question(s), conceptual framework, and research method) in the proposal? | 10 |
Total Score | 50 |
Progress Reports:
The researcher will meet with the faculty member supervising the research participation on a regular basis.
During these meetings, the researcher will provide evidence of work completed toward the experiment.
Additionally, the researcher will outline what they plan to accomplish between the current meeting and the
next. A total of 3 progress reports will be completed throughout the term.
Grading rubric:
| Criteria: | Points |
| Provided evidence of completed work | 10 |
| Outline of work to be completed | 10 |
Total Points | 20 |
Comparison of Popular Press & Peer-Reviewed Article:
The purpose of this assignment is for the student to learn the differences between popular press articles and peer-reviewed research published in a scientific journal. Student(s) will select an animal science topic of their choice, find a popular press article and a peer-reviewed journal article on the subject, and write a summary & comparison of the two. Students will select a different peer-reviewed article from the one used in the Research Article Summary & Analysis and
Research Article Redesign assignments.
Grading rubric:
| Criteria: | Points |
| Why did you choose the topic? | 5 |
| Summary of topic chosen | 15 |
| Compare how the two articles covered the topic | 20 |
Total Points | 40 |
Research Poster:
The student(s) will create a poster that summarizes your research that has been conducted throughout the semester. During the Spring 2027 semester, students will present their posters at the annual Student and Faculty Research Forum. The Student and Faculty Research Forum functions like a research conference, with student presenters reviewing poster content and answering questions as small groups of viewers visit their poster areas.
Grading rubric:
| Criteria: | Points |
| Project title | 5 |
| Background of topic selected | 5 |
| Objectives | 10 |
| Experimental Plan | 10 |
| Results | 10 |
| Conclusions | 10 |
Total Points | 50 |
Research Paper:
To gain experience with summarizing research in written form for publication (possibly in a peer-reviewed journal), student(s) will write a paper in the style of a scientific journal article in the field of animal science.
Grading rubric:
| Criteria: | Points |
| Abstract | 10 |
| Background of topic selected | 10 |
| Materials & Methods | 10 |
| Results & Discussion | 10 |
| Conclusion | 10 |
Total Points | 50 |
Instructor Course Policies
- Attendance is required for all class weeks. Students must demonstrate that they are actively participating in the course by submitting required assignments and attending scheduled physical classroom sessions.
- If you are sick or do not feel well, do not come to class if you are sick! Please email the instructor prior to class.
- You are expected to be in class, on time, every time. If you miss more than 1 meeting for reasons other than illness, emergency, or other excused absences approved by the instructor, your final grade will be reduced one letter grade for each day missed.
- You are responsible for communicating with the instructor about completing missed work
- The opportunity to makeup missed work may be given only if the absence is excused
- See the current Student Handbook for the College’s Attendance policy especially as it pertains to excused absences.
- If you are absent due to athletics, field trip, or other event where you officially represent the College, please email the instructor at least one week prior to the event. Understand that although these are excused absences, you can only complete missed work IF you let the instructor know ahead of time.
- If absent due to illness or emergency, contact the instructor as soon as you can
- Exams, quizzes, & assignments missed due to unexcused absences will receive a 0 when calculating your final grade
- You are expected to read the assigned material and be prepared for discussion on the material. As a general rule, you should have the reading done for the week at the beginning of the assigned week.
- Wilmington College and federal financial aid authorities require that students commit a minimum of two hours of time per week outside of class for each hour of time they are in class.
- You are responsible for the materials in lecture and in all assigned reading
Academic Integrity
- Absolute honesty is expected. Cheating, plagiarism, lying, or disrespect for other students or the instructor will not be tolerated by the instructor or the College.
- Appropriate Use of Artificial Intelligence:
- Unless given permission by the instructor to use artificial intelligence (AI) apps such as ChatGPT to help you complete an assignment, all work (papers, quizzes & tests, homework assignments, etc.) that you submit in this course must be produced by you and not by AI. Failure to comply with this policy will result in penalties for academic dishonesty (see below).
- IF the instructor gives you permission to use AI and you choose to utilize Chat GPT or another AI platform, screenshot the prompt that you submitted and the response the AI platform gave you. This will allow the instructor to view your input and the AI output to ensure plagiarism was avoided and proper citation was given. Failure to comply with this policy will result in penalties for academic dishonesty (see below).
- Plagiarism will not be tolerated. All references should be provided, if in doubt, provide a reference (this includes works produced with the assistance of AI).
- Academic dishonesty is not acceptable. Assignments, which are plagiarized, will not be accepted and will receive the grade of zero. Cheating on a test or quiz will also receive a grade of zero.
- Penalties for plagiarism or cheating in this class may range from a zero on the assignment to an F in the class. In addition, all cases will be reported in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs. In the case of serious infractions, the Academic Standards and Appeals Committee may take further action.
- “See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Academic Integrity policies as they pertain to examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges.”
Taking an Online Exam or Quiz:
Cheating is a serious offense and subject to disciplinary action. Some examples of this offense are:
- Any copying or recording of the exam/quiz questions or answers, including taking screenshots, pictures, or video, and disseminating them to anyone before or during the exam.
- Opening browsers and searching for content.
- Using mobile devices/smart phones, other web browsers, software, or other computers during the exam/quiz.
- Bringing in resource materials other than those allowed (e.g., calculator).
- Allowing other individuals to come in and out of the room during the exam.
Plagiarism Policy:
Plagiarism is defined as the representation of another’s words, ideas, concepts, research, or creative production without proper attribution whether intentional or unintentional. It is the student’s responsibility to be informed about what constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism can occur in the submission of one’s own work or in work submitted by a group.
Examples of plagiarism include the following:
- Paper(s), information, quiz & test answers, homework assignments, etc. created by AI apps such as ChatGPT
- The submission of a paper not one’s own, including turning in a paper that has been purchased from a commercial research firm or obtained from the internet
- Copying word for word information without quotation marks
- Paraphrasing information (that is, the use of one’s own words with only minor changes to the original)
- Use of information not considered general knowledge without proper citation
- Listing of misleading or false sources on a reference page
- The use of a paper or project for one course that was previously submitted for another course, either at Wilmington or at any other institution
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and carries serious academic consequences. Violations will be recorded by the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Main Campus and Vice President of External Programs at the Cincinnati Branch Campus.
When an instructor discovers plagiarism, the instructor will first consult with the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs if a main campus student, or the Vice President for External Programs if a branch campus student, in order to determine if the student is a first-time offender. For first offenses, the instructor has the ability to determine the penalty for the offense. Students with academic integrity violations may not be eligible for academic awards and honors (i.e., Academic Honors, Dean’s List/Merit List, Green Key Honor Society, Quaker Impact Award, and other Honorary Societies). For a second offense or more, the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Main Campus or the Vice President for External Programs for students at the branch campus, will report the offense to the academic standards and appeal committee and gather evidence for a hearing with the student. It is possible that the student will receive a substantial reduction in grade for the course or will fail the course. Multiple instances could even lead to suspension or expulsion from Wilmington College.
There are many university, college and private websites students may consult about how to avoid plagiarism. Sites with particularly helpful suggestions can be found at:
WC Blackboard
Use (wc.blackboard.com)
- May be used for: quizzes & exams, lecture outlines, assignments, instructions, due dates, readings, posting grades
Blackboard Help
- If you are having trouble using Blackboard, accessing content, submitting assignments, taking assessments, participating in discussion boards, viewing your grade, or using your technology device, contact the IT helpdesk at helpdesk@wilmington.edu, 937-481-2459, or https://wilmington.freshservice.com/support/home
Communicating with the Instructor
- The best way to reach me is by my College email address: daryl_nash@wilmington.edu
Email & Video Conferencing Etiquette
- When communicating via email, there are some important guidelines to follow:
- Think of your email as a professional, business communication. Include an informative subject line.
- Make sure that your email is grammatically correct. You should think about your email as a chance to show your instructor that you care about the class, and that you are willing to take the time to proofread your message before sending it. Keep your tone friendly and respectful and keep your emails concise and to the point.
Video Conferencing
If you attend class via Zoom, below are a few things to keep in mind:
- Requests to attend class via Zoom for reasons other than illness or emergency must be approved by the instructor at least 1-day in advance. If the reason is due to sudden illness or emergency contact the instructor as soon as you can. Requests will be honored if the reason for attending class fits within the College’s Attendance policy in the Student Handbook (i.e., illness, emergency, approved excused absences). I overslept or do not feel like getting out of bed are not valid reasons for attending class via Zoom.
- Consider your appearance on the webcam. The less seriously you take the video conference, the harder it will be to learn the material or participate in the class.
- Consider what is in the background of your video. Nothing is more embarrassing than an awkward or inappropriate poster or item in your background. A blank background is easiest to work with but be considerate.
- Remember that a video conference has the same degree of respect as a live class. You would not randomly call out or fall asleep during class (let’s hope!), so please continue that respect on the webcam.
- Keep your video on.
- Unless you are speaking keep the mute on. This will avoid background noises.
WC Mission Statement
- The mission of Wilmington College is to educate, inspire and prepare each student for a life of service and success.
- To fulfill that mission, Wilmington College provides a high quality undergraduate and graduate educational environment shaped by the traditions of the liberal arts, career preparation and the distinctive practices of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). By offering academic programs, practical experience, and co-curricular activities in a variety of settings to students from diverse backgrounds, the College leads students to gain an awareness of the world, to acquire knowledge of career and vocation and to seek truth and social justice.
- In keeping with the rich heritage of the liberal arts, the College seeks to educate the whole person – intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual – in ways that foster critical thinking, reflection, the free exchange of ideas, open inquiry, respect for all persons and a desire for lifelong learning. The liberal arts are integrated with career preparation to help students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in a career or further education.
- As an academic community, Wilmington College is rooted in historic Quaker values, also known as testimonies, which include integrity, service, stewardship, equality, peace and social justice and respect for all persons. These historic testimonies motivate those who learn and work at the College to make positive contributions to their professions and their communities.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: FA26 Final Exam Schedule
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery Definition of Courses |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. Academic Integrity Policy |
Class Attendance Policy Institutional Class Attendance Policy |