Chapter 03 - Evidence based nutrition and practice

Science

A method of attempting to arrive at objective truths.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a problem or set of observations.

The Scientific Method

The process of formulating explanations about the natural world and testing those explanations with experiments and data.

Evidence-Based Practice

A three-pronged approach to working with clients, which consists of making decisions based on the weight of the scientific evidence, field observations, and individual client needs and preferences.

Prediction

An expected outcome generated from a hypothesis

Theory

A hypothesis or set of hypotheses for which a large body of high-quality evidence has been accumulated.

Anecdote

An account of a person’s experience
or event.

Uncontrolled Variable

A variable in an experiment that a scientist makes no effort to manipulate or account for

Primary Research

Original research where scientists perform experiments and collect data – this is in contrast to secondary research where scientists analyze data that has already been collected or published elsewhere.

Correlation

A relationship between two or more
variables.

Observational Research

Research in which a researcher observes ongoing behaviors to determine correlation.

Randomized Control Trial
(RCT)

A type of scientific study/trial where participants are randomly assigned into different groups – one or more will be the intervention to be tested and one will be the control group. Groups are randomized and a control is used in an attempt to reduce potential bias in the trial.

Independent Variable

The variable scientists manipulate in an experiment.

External Validity

The ability to generalize the results of a study.

Systematic Review

A review where scientists systematically gather all research on a topic and evaluate it based on predefined criteria and rules.

Meta-Analysis

A statistical analysis of a group of studies to assess the overall weight of the evidence.

Empirical

Based on observation or experience.

Test–Retest Reliability

The ability to get similar results when something is measured under the same conditions.

Reliability

The consistency of a measure.

Validity

The assessment of whether a tool is measuring what it is supposed to measure.

Selection bias

A sample of people under study is not representative of the larger population that scientists are looking to make inferences about.

Retrospective

Describes a study that looks backward in time

Recall Bias

The inability to accurately remember
past behaviors.

Peer review

The critical evaluation of a study by
other scientists.