Chapter 3: Evidence-Based Nutrition and Practice

Question 1

Science

Answer 1

A method of attempting to arrive at objective truths.

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

A proposed explanation for a problem or set of observations.

Question 3

The Scientific Method

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Evidence-Based Practice

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

The Three Components of Evidence Based Practices

Answer 5

The weight of the evidence from scientific research.

Field Observations

Individual Client Needs and Preferences

Question 6

Step 1 of the Scientific Method

Answer 6

Find the Problem or Set of Observations

Question 7

Step 2 of the Scientific Method

Answer 7

Formulate a hypothesis.

Question 8

Step 3 of the Scientific Method

Answer 8

Design a study to test the hypothesis.

Question 9

Step 4 of the Scientific Method

Answer 9

Collect, synthesize, and interpret data.

Question 10

Step 5 of the Scientific Method

Answer 10

Accept or Reject the Hypothesis

Question 11

Prediction

Answer 11

An expected outcome generated from a hypothesis.

Question 12

Theory

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Anecdote

Answer 13

An account of a person’s experience or event.

Question 14

Uncontrolled Variable

Answer 14

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

Question 15

The first type of evidence, the top of the hierarchy

Answer 15

Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses of RCT

Question 16

The second type of evidence and the second in the hierarchy

Answer 16

Randomized Controlled Trials

Question 17

The third type of evidence and the third in the hierarchy

Answer 17

Observational Research

Question 18

The fourth type of evidence and fourth in the hierarchy

Answer 18

Peer reviewed editorials and expert opinion

Question 19

The last type of evidence and last in the hierarchy

Answer 19

Non-peer reviewed media, including anecdote and tradition.

Question 20

Primary Research

Answer 20

Original research where scientists perform experiments and collect data.

Question 21

Observational Research

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Correlation

Answer 22

A relationship between two or more variables.

Question 23

Randomized Controlled Trial

Answer 23

A type of scientific study/trial where participants are randomly assigned into different groups

Question 24

Independent Variable

Answer 24

The variable scientists manipulate in an experiment.

Question 25

External Validity

Answer 25

The ability to generalize the results of a study.

Question 26

Systematic Review

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Meta-Analysis

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Empirical

Answer 28

Based on observation or experience.

Question 29

Test-Retest Reliability

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Reliability

Answer 30

The consistency of a measure.

Question 31

Validity

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Selection Bias

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Retrospective

Answer 33

Describes a study that looks backward in time.

Question 34

Recall Bias

Answer 34

The inability to accurately remember past behaviors.

Question 35

Peer Reviews

Answer 35

The critical evaluation of a study by other scientists.

Question 36

Position stands and scientific consensus statements

Answer 36

Thorough and valuable summations of the state of the evidence on various topics. They are usually written by large teams of scientists.