Research Methods in Nutrition and Dietetics

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. outline the principles of scientific research; 2. explain the concept of hypothesis formulation and testing; 3. design and implement research in nutrition and dietetics; 4. discuss implementation Science in Nutrition; and 5. apply statistical software in the analysis of nutrition research, organisation of scientific report

Research methodologies currently in use in nutritional studies. Research Ethics. Research design. Sampling techniques and sample size determination. Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods: Type and design of questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interviews. Data collection, data analysis including use of computer based analytical packages such as SPSS, EPI-INFO, STATA and many others. Data presentation, interpretation and discussion of results. Use of Computer in Research (Internet Access). Techniques used in nutrition studies involving laboratory animal and man PER, NPU, BV, NDPE and many others. Use of experimental diets, balance studies, chemical and biological assays.