Chapter 3: Evidence-Based Nutrition and Practice Flashcards
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.
The Three Components of Evidence Based Practices
The weight of the evidence from scientific research.
Field Observations
Individual Client Needs and Preferences
Step 1 of the Scientific Method
Find the Problem or Set of Observations
Step 2 of the Scientific Method
Formulate a hypothesis.
Step 3 of the Scientific Method
Design a study to test the hypothesis.
Step 4 of the Scientific Method
Collect, synthesize, and interpret data.
Step 5 of the Scientific Method
Accept or Reject the Hypothesis
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.
The first type of evidence, the top of the hierarchy
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses of RCT
The second type of evidence and the second in the hierarchy
Randomized Controlled Trials
The third type of evidence and the third in the hierarchy
Observational Research
The fourth type of evidence and fourth in the hierarchy
Peer reviewed editorials and expert opinion
The last type of evidence and last in the hierarchy
Non-peer reviewed media, including anecdote and tradition.
Primary Research
Original research where scientists perform experiments and collect data.
Observational Research
Research in which a researcher observes ongoing behaviors to determine correlation.
Correlation
A relationship between two or more variables.
Randomized Controlled Trial
A type of scientific study/trial where participants are randomly assigned into different groups
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 predetermined 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 Reviews
The critical evaluation of a study by other scientists.
Position stands and scientific consensus statements
Thorough and valuable summations of the state of the evidence on various topics. They are usually written by large teams of scientists.
