Module 1 - The Basics

What are internal influences on food choices?

Factors within the person, such as hunger, satiety, genetics, metabolism, mood, and food preferences.

What are external influences on food choices?

Factors outside the person, such as culture, environment, marketing, social groups, cost, and food availability.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction or explanation for an observation.

What is a variable?

A factor that can change or be measured in a study.

What is a control group?

The group that does not receive the experimental treatment and serves as a comparison.

What is an experimental group?

The group that receives the treatment or intervention being studied.

What does peer-reviewed mean?

Research that has been evaluated by experts in the field before publication.

What is replication?

Repeating a study to see whether similar results occur.

What is bias in scientific research?

A systematic influence that can distort research methods, interpretation, or results.

What is correlation?

A relationship or association between two variables.

What is causation?

When a change in one variable directly produces a change in another.

Why doesn't correlation automatically mean causation?

Two variables can be associated without one causing the other; another factor may explain the relationship.

What is confirmation bias?

Seeking or interpreting information in ways that support an existing belief while overlooking contradictory evidence.

What is the basic scientific method?

Observation → hypothesis → experiment → analysis → conclusion.

What is epidemiological research?

Research that examines health and disease patterns in populations.

What is experimental research?

Research in which researchers control conditions or interventions to test cause-and-effect relationships.

What is laboratory research?

Research conducted under controlled conditions, often using cells or animals.

What is a systematic review?

A structured analysis of multiple studies addressing a specific research question.

What is a meta-analysis?

A statistical analysis that combines results from multiple studies.

What factors can affect whether research generalizes to a larger population?

Sample size, diversity, and how closely the study population represents the population of interest.