NUTD9130 Research and Critical Thinking in Nutrition and Dietetics A

This topic will enhance students’ knowledge of evidence based nutrition and dietetic practice through focusing on the basic approaches to investigating nutritional health and diet-related disease states in individuals and populations, and the application of these in the field of nutrition and dietetics. After an introduction to basic methods of research in nutrition and dietetics, students will be provided with an opportunity to develop a research proposal as part of a group and then analyse a database of relevance to the research question, interpret the findings and present these in a form suitable for a scientific audience. The topic emphasises the individual and collective responsibilities of continuing education in professional practice.

This topic aims to:

• Provide an opportunity for students to design a research study to address a research question in human nutrition and dietetics
• Extend skills in scientific writing and presentation
• Foster an appreciation for lifelong learning and evidence based practice in human nutrition and dietetics within a professional development framework

1. Develop a detailed research proposal collaboratively, with consideration given to formulating a research question and project aims, identifying appropriate outcomes and data collection methods, considering ethical implications and planning for an evaluation of the findings
2. Independently investigate, analyse, interpret and synthesise research data in order to justify evidence-based recommendations for practice and research
3. Present the outcomes of research covering all aspects of the research process using communication strategies suitable for scientific audiences