Finding the Evidence

Question 1

What are some “ways of knowing” besides science?

Answer 1

Observation/experience, trial & error, tradition, authority, and logical reasoning

Question 2

Why is the scientific method preferred in nutrition research?

Answer 2

It is systematic, empirical, controlled, and critically examined—designed to minimize bias

Question 3

What are the stages of the research process?

Answer 3

1. Identify problem
2. Literature review
3. Define question & hypothesis
4. Planning & study design
5. Data collection
6. Data analysis
7. Dissemination

Question 4

What makes a “good question”

Answer 4

important, answerable
- Feasible – is answering this question possible with
the available resources ?
- Specific- Enough to form basis of research study
design

Question 5

What is a research hypothesis?

Answer 5

A precise, testable statement predicting a relationship between variables (e.g., low sodium diet → lower blood pressure)

Question 6

Can research have no hypothesis

Answer 6

Research studies may or may not have a
hypothesis

Question 7

Main types of Categorizing research

Answer 7

I. Basic (“Bench”) or Applied research
II. Qualitative or Quantitative research
III. Observational or Experimental research
IV. Primary or secondary

Question 8

How does theory connect to research?

Answer 8

Theories organize accumulated evidence, explain past events, and predict new ones (e.g., Social Ecological Model)

Question 9

What is the difference between basic and applied research?

Answer 9

Basic discovers underlying processes (e.g., genetic mapping), while applied finds practical applications (e.g., gene therapy)

Question 10

Qualitative vs quantitative research?

Answer 10

Qualitative: Context-rich, interviews, small samples, theory-building

Quantitative: Numbers, generalizable, large samples, statistical testing

Question 11

Observational vs experimental research?

Answer 11

Observational: Measures without manipulation (e.g., cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) CAN BE DESCRIPTIVE OR CORRELATIONAL

Experimental (Gold Standard): Manipulates variables, tests causation (e.g., RCTs, double blind, placebo)

Question 12

Observational: Descriptive

Answer 12

Describes characteristics of existing phenomena
* Provides a broad picture
* Serves as a basis for other types of research
ex. case studies, surveys

Question 12

Observational: Correlational

Answer 12

• Asks whether knowing one event can allow prediction of another event
• May show relationships, but does not imply causation
  ex. cross sectional, case-control, cohort

Question 13

Primary vs secondary research?

Answer 13

Primary: Original research study

Secondary: Reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses

Question 14

What makes nutrition research harder than drug research?

Answer 14

Difficult to measure intake, long-term effects, small nutrient effects, differences across systems, placebo issues. Unlike drugs, nutrients can’t simply be “stopped”

Question 15

What is quasi-experimental research?

Answer 15

Groups are pre-assigned (e.g., schools, clinics). No randomization, but still examines interventions

Question 16

What makes research “good quality”?

Answer 16

Relevant, feasible, theory-driven, reproducible, generalizable, unbiased, ongoing (generates new questions)

Question 17

What if a study has no hypothesis?

Answer 17

Descriptive studies may just describe populations/phenomena without testing a prediction