I like to think that research dietitians are the bedrock upon which dietetics as a profession is built (actually I like to think we are rockstars but that's a bit self-serving!)
Every day, in every way, the overwhelming majority of us feel the presence of research dietitians. Whether that is quite removed via reading a food label or directly through a consultation with a dietitian, this is all underpinned by scientific research.
Every day, in every way, the overwhelming majority of us feel the presence of research dietitians. Whether that is quite removed via reading a food label or directly through a consultation with a dietitian, this is all underpinned by scientific research.
Dietetics is an evidence-based practice. This means that everything we do must be supported by solid evidence. We can’t just make a random recommendation based upon our personal beliefs and biases. That would be unethical.
When we recommend that you eat five serves of vegetables a day it’s because a large body of evidence conducted over a long period of time has shown us that people who eat more serves of veg a day have better health outcomes than people who don’t.
When we recommend that you eat five serves of vegetables a day it’s because a large body of evidence conducted over a long period of time has shown us that people who eat more serves of veg a day have better health outcomes than people who don’t.
What is research anyway, and why do we need to do it? It wasn’t until I started writing this article that I realised how difficult it can be to explain. They say, however, that if you can’t explain it simply then you don’t understand it well enough yourself. So here goes…
Typically, research begins with a question.
Some studies aim to fill in gaps in knowledge by answering a question that we don’t know the answer to, this could be “What happens if?”
Some studies aim to challenge or improve upon existing knowledge, for example “Is X better than Y?”
The figure below helps to illustrate the different ways in which questions arise (1). Sometimes the question is developed by the researcher or academic. Other times it is developed by the observant practitioner who identifies a problem. Regardless of the type of question, it is usually answered with either primary research or secondary research.
Some studies aim to fill in gaps in knowledge by answering a question that we don’t know the answer to, this could be “What happens if?”
Some studies aim to challenge or improve upon existing knowledge, for example “Is X better than Y?”
The figure below helps to illustrate the different ways in which questions arise (1). Sometimes the question is developed by the researcher or academic. Other times it is developed by the observant practitioner who identifies a problem. Regardless of the type of question, it is usually answered with either primary research or secondary research.
Primary research involves field work. That means getting out there and collecting/analysing the data yourself. Not only are dietitians are involved in developing the question they develop the tool for collecting the data.
This could be a questionnaire or survey asking people to report their habits.
This could be an individual interview asking people about their opinions or experiences.
It could be analysing blood tests or body measurements to objectively quantify the effects of different treatments.
This could be a questionnaire or survey asking people to report their habits.
This could be an individual interview asking people about their opinions or experiences.
It could be analysing blood tests or body measurements to objectively quantify the effects of different treatments.
Secondary research means collecting/analysing existing data.
This can be from large observational studies such as EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) (2). In this study large amounts of people were recruited (more than half a million) and their lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, smoking etc were observed over time (15 years). In a study like this participants who are diagnosed with cancer are then compared with people who were not diagnosed with cancer to see if we can understand where the differences are.
This can be from large observational studies such as EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) (2). In this study large amounts of people were recruited (more than half a million) and their lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, smoking etc were observed over time (15 years). In a study like this participants who are diagnosed with cancer are then compared with people who were not diagnosed with cancer to see if we can understand where the differences are.
Another method of secondary research is analysing the data from published studies.
Any researcher will tell you one isolated study really doesn’t mean that much, you have to look at what several studies say. Do they agree with each other? Do they disagree with each other? If they disagree, why? What accounts for the differences? This method of secondary research is called evidence analysis or literature review.
This helps us to put evidence in context.
Any researcher will tell you one isolated study really doesn’t mean that much, you have to look at what several studies say. Do they agree with each other? Do they disagree with each other? If they disagree, why? What accounts for the differences? This method of secondary research is called evidence analysis or literature review.
This helps us to put evidence in context.
In both circumstances, once the data has been collected the dietitian needs to analyse and interpret the data. This often means some pretty hefty statistical analysis.
Indeed, the next few months of my candidature will be spent re-learning the basics of statistics and developing skills in the more advanced concepts. Why are statistics important? Because they help us to demonstrate the size of effect and whether this is clinically relevant.
Indeed, the next few months of my candidature will be spent re-learning the basics of statistics and developing skills in the more advanced concepts. Why are statistics important? Because they help us to demonstrate the size of effect and whether this is clinically relevant.
I fear I haven’t done a very good job of explaining the intricacies of the research dietitian! I didn’t even touch on the differences between quantitative and qualitative research or study design. For now I leave you with the knowledge that research is all about asking, and hopefully answering, questions.
(1) Research in Nutrition and Dietetics—What Can the Academy Do for You?
Hand, Rosa K. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics , Volume 114 , Issue 1 , 131 - 135
(2) http://epic.iarc.fr/
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