Nutrition and Dietetics 304
NUTR 404: Research Methods in Nutrition and Dietetics
Prerequisites: NUTR 415, 425
Credit Hours: (3)
A comprehensive overview of the research process including hypotheses, literature review, research design, data collection, and interpretation of results. The course emphasizes knowledge and skills that are essential for critical evaluation of evidence based dietetic practice.
Note(s): Students cannot receive credit for both NUTR 404 and NUTR 304.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course provides students with the ability to locate, critique, and disseminate, written and orally, scientific evidence in foods and nutrition research. Topics covered include:
- The Scientific Method
- How to complete a literature search of peer reviewed, original research
- How to critique peer reviewed, original research
- How to communicate, written and orally scientific evidence in formal and lay forms
- Epidemiologic Research
- Animal and Bench top research
- Randomized Controlled Trial research
- Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis
- Ethics in research
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course instruction strategies may include, but will not be limited to, lecture, discussion, class activities, problem based learning, case studies, videos, guest speakers, and student presentations.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe different types of research design in nutrition, dietetics, and foods
- Interpret and critique research data
- Apply the scientific method and scientific evidence to different career settings in nutrition and foods to provide evidence based recommendations to clients, patients, colleagues, and the public.
- Communicate nutrition and foods research effectively to professionals and to the lay public
- Describe appropriate ethical considerations in research.
Assessment Measures
Assessment measures may include, but are not limited to exams, assignments, projects, case studies, oral presentations, and class participation.
Other Course Information
This course fulfills in part, the requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Review and Approval
September 2001 Updated Anne Alexander, Chair
Revised 3/6/09
September 28, 2012 Revised
April, 2019