LECTURE NOTE

COURSE TITLE: RESEARCH METHODS IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

FOR ND II / 200 LEVEL POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS

UNDERSTAND THE MEANING AND BASIC CONCEPTS OF RESEARCH

Research is an important aspect of Nutrition and Dietetics because it helps professionals

understand nutrition-related problems and develop effective solutions. Nutrition research
contributes greatly to disease prevention, food security, diet planning, and health promotion.

Meaning of Research

Research is a careful, systematic, scientific, and organized investigation carried out to

discover new facts, verify existing knowledge, solve problems, or answer questions.

It involves gathering information, analyzing data, interpreting findings, and drawing

conclusions

CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

Research possesses the following important features:

1. Systematic: Research follows organized and sequential procedures from beginning to end.

Example: A researcher studying malnutrition must follow steps such as:

- Identifying the problem

- Collecting data

- Analyzing results

- Drawing conclusions

Objective: Research findings should not be influenced by personal opinions or emotions.

Example: A nutritionist should record a child’s weight accurately without altering results.

3. Empirical: Research is based on observation and evidence.

Example: Measuring Body Mass Index (BMI) of students rather than guessing their
nutritional status.

4. Logical: Research follows reasoning and scientific thinking.

Example: Poor feeding practices can logically contribute to malnutrition.

5. Controlled: Variables are managed carefully to reduce errors.

Example: In a feeding trial, participants may receive equal quantities of food except for the
nutrient being tested.

6. Replicable: Another researcher should be able to repeat the study and obtain similar results.

7. Critical: Research involves careful examination of facts before conclusions are made.

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Research is important in the field of nutrition for the following reasons:

1. Identification of Nutritional Problems: Research helps identify health and nutrition

problems affecting communities.

Example: Studies may reveal high levels of anemia among pregnant women.

2. Improvement of Public Health: Research findings guide nutrition interventions aimed at

improving health.

Example: Vitamin A supplementation programmes reduce blindness in children.

3. Policy Formulation: Government agencies use research findings to formulate nutrition and
health policies.

4. Development of Feeding Programmes: Research helps develop school feeding programmes

and therapeutic diets.

5. Prevention of Diseases: Research identifies dietary factors responsible for diseases such as:

- Obesity

- Diabetes

- Hypertension

- Cardiovascular diseases

6. Evaluation of Nutrition Programmes: Research helps determine whether nutrition

interventions are effective.

Example: Assessing whether nutrition education improved breastfeeding practices.

7. Improvement of Clinical Practice: Dietitians use research findings to improve patient

management.

8. Contribution to Knowledge: Research adds new information to science and nutrition

education.

Examples of Research Topics in Nutrition and Dietetics

1. Prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children.

2. Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers.

3. Assessment of dietary habits among adolescents.

4. Relationship between obesity and fast-food consumption.

5. Evaluation of school feeding programmes.

6. Nutritional status of Almajirai children.

7. Food hygiene practices among food vendors.

TYPES OF RESEARCH

Research can be classified according to purpose and method the major types include:

1. Descriptive Research

2. Correlational Research

3. Quasi-Experimental Research

4. Experimental Research

A. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH: Descriptive research describes situations, behaviours,

conditions, or populations as they exist naturally. The researcher does not manipulate
variables.

Purpose of Descriptive Research

1. To describe existing conditions.

2. To identify characteristics of a population.

3. To gather information for planning and policy-making.

Characteristics

1. No manipulation of variables.

2. Uses observation and surveys.

3. Focuses on present situations.

4. Often involves large populations.

Methods Used

1. Questionnaires

2. Interviews
3. Observation

4. Surveys

Advantages:

1. Simple and easy to conduct.

2. Provides detailed information.

3. Useful for community assessment.

4. Helps in planning interventions.

Disadvantages:

1. Cannot establish cause and effect.

2. Responses may be biased.

3. Time-consuming when population is large.

B. CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

Correlational research studies the relationship between two or more variables. It determines
whether changes in one variable are associated with changes in another variable.

A factor that can change or vary: Weight, Age, Income, Food intake

Types of Correlation

1. Positive Correlation: Both variables increase or decrease together. Example: Increased

calorie intake may increase body weight.

2. Negative Correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases. Example: Increase in
exercise reduces body fat.

3. No Correlation: No relationship exists between variables.

Examples:

1. Relationship between maternal education and child nutrition.

2. Relationship between exercise and BMI.

3. Relationship between income and food choices.

Advantages

1. Helps predict outcomes.

2. Useful for identifying relationships.

3. Provides direction for future studies.

Disadvantages

1. Does not prove causation.

2. Other factors may affect results.

C. QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH: A study where intervention is introduced

without complete random assignment. It is commonly used in community nutrition research.

Characteristics

1. Includes intervention.

2. No full randomization.

3. Conducted in natural settings.

Examples:

1. Nutrition education in one school compared with another school.

2. Supplementation programme in a rural community.

Advantages

1. Practical in real-life settings.

2. Less expensive than true experiments.

3. Useful for community studies.

Disadvantages

1. Less control over variables.

2. Higher risk of bias.

D. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH: Experimental research involves manipulation of

variables under controlled conditions to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

Terms

Experimental Group: The group receiving treatment.

Control Group: The group not receiving treatment.

Independent Variable: Variable manipulated by researcher.

Dependent Variable: Variable being measured.

Characteristics
1. Random assignment.

2. Control group.

3. Manipulation of variables.

4. Controlled environment.

Examples in Nutrition

1. Testing effects of protein supplementation on malnourished children.

2. Comparing effects of two diets on diabetic patients.

3. Studying effect of vitamin supplementation on immunity.

Advantages

1. Establishes cause and effect.

2. Highly scientific.

3. Results are reliable.

Disadvantages

1. Expensive.

2. Time-consuming.

3. Ethical limitations may occur.

KEY ELEMENTS IN A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Meaning of Research Proposal: A research proposal is a written document explaining how a

research study will be conducted. It serves as a blueprint or plan for the study.

Importance of Research Proposal

1. Guides the researcher.

2. Helps secure approval or funding.

3. Provides direction for the study.

4. Identifies possible challenges.

Components of a Research Proposal

1. Title: The title should be: Clear, Concise, and Specific.

Example: “Assessment of Complementary Feeding Practices Among Mothers in Kaduna

State.”
2. Introduction: Provides background information about the study.

The introduction explains:

- Nature of the problem

- Importance of the topic

- Existing situation

3. Statement of the Problem: Explains the exact issue the researcher wants to address.

Example: High prevalence of malnutrition among children due to poor feeding practices.

4. Aim and Objectives

Aim: General purpose of the study.

Objectives: Specific steps to achieve the aim.

Example

1. To assess feeding practices.

2. To determine prevalence of malnutrition.

3. To identify factors affecting nutrition.

5. Research Questions: Questions guiding the study.

Example

1. What are the feeding practices among mothers?

2. What factors influence child nutrition?

6. Hypothesis: A statement predicting relationship between variables.

Example: “There is a significant relationship between maternal education and child nutrition.”

7. Literature Review: Review of related studies and publications.

Importance of Literature Review

1. Prevents duplication.

2. Identifies knowledge gaps.

3. Provides theoretical background.

8. Methodology: Explains how the research will be conducted.

Components of Methodology
1. Research design

2. Study area

3. Population

4. Sample size

5. Sampling technique

6. Data collection tools

7. Data analysis

9. Significance of the Study: Explains benefits of the study to Students, Researchers,

Government and Health workers.

10. Scope and Limitation

Defines:

- Area covered

- Population involved

- Constraints encountered

11. References

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS RESEARCH

Research ethics are moral principles guiding researchers during studies involving human
participants.

Importance of Research Ethics

1. Protects participants.

2. Promotes professionalism.

3. Prevents exploitation.

4. Builds public trust.

5. Ensures credibility of findings.

Ethical Principles

1. Informed Consent: Participants must voluntarily agree after understanding the study.

Elements of Consent

1. Purpose of study
2. Risks involved

3. Benefits

4. Freedom to withdraw

2. Confidentiality: Participants information should remain private. Using codes instead of

names.

3. Beneficence: Research should benefit participants and society.

4. Non-maleficence: Research should not cause harm.

5. Justice: Participants should be treated fairly.

6. Respect for Persons: Participants have the right to:

- Refuse participation

- Withdraw anytime

Ethical Issues in Nutrition Research

1. Blood sample collection.

2. Research involving children.

3. Disclosure of medical records.

4. Feeding trials.

UNDERSTAND RESEARCH METHODS AND APPROACHES

RESEARCH METHODS

Researches methods are techniques used to collect, analyze, and interpret data.

Types of Research Methods

A. Quantitative Method: Uses numerical data and statistical analysis.

Characteristics

1. Uses large samples.

2. Produces measurable results.

3. Uses statistics.

Examples: BMI measurement, MUAC assessment, Dietary intake survey.

Instruments: Questionnaire, Weighing scale, Measuring tape.

 Advantages

1. Accurate measurement.

2. Easy comparison of results.

Disadvantages

1. May not explain behaviours deeply.

B. Qualitative Method: Focuses on beliefs, opinions, experiences, and attitudes.

Methods

1. Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

2. Key Informant Interview (KII)

3. Observation

Advantages

1. Provides detailed information.

2. Explains behaviours and attitudes.

Disadvantages

1. Difficult to analyze.

2. Smaller sample size.

C. Mixed Method: Combines quantitative and qualitative methods.

Advantages

1. Provides comprehensive findings.

2. Improves reliability.

Disadvantages

1. Time-consuming.

2. Requires more resources.

METHODS OF CONDUCTING RESEARCH

A. AUTHORITARIAN METHOD: Knowledge accepted from experts or authorities.

Example Accepting nutrition advice from lecturers or doctors.

Merits
1. Quick source of information.

2. Useful for beginners.

Demerits

1. May contain bias.

2. Information may become outdated.

B. MYSTICAL APPROACH: Knowledge based on beliefs, intuition, or traditions. Example

Believing herbal mixtures cure diseases without scientific proof.

Merits

1. Preserves culture.

2. Influences traditional practices.

Demerits

1. Not scientifically proven.

2. Can lead to harmful practices.

C. LOGICAL APPROACH: Uses reasoning and thinking to reach [Link]

Poor sanitation contributes to disease occurrence.

Merits

1. Encourages critical thinking.

2. Useful in solving problems.

Demerits

1. May lack scientific evidence.

D. SCIENTIFIC APPROACH: Systematic process involving observation, experimentation,

and evidence.

Steps in Scientific Approach

1. Identify problem.

2. Review literature.

3. Formulate hypothesis.

4. Collect data.

5. Analyze data.
6. Interpret findings.

7. Draw conclusions.

Merits

1. Reliable.

2. Objective.

3. Produces verifiable findings.

Demerits

1. Expensive.

2. Time-consuming.

3. Requires technical skills.

MERITS AND DEMERITS OF METHODS OF CONDUCTING RESEARCH

Method | Merits | Demerits |

Authoritarian | Quick information | May be biased |

Mystical | Cultural relevance | Lacks evidence |

Logical | Encourages reasoning | May not be accurate |

Scientific | Reliable and objective | Expensive |

FUNDAMENTAL STEPS IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH

1. Identify research problem.

2. Review literature.

3. Formulate objectives.

4. Develop hypothesis.

5. Select research design.

6. Determine population and sample.

7. Collect data.

8. Analyze data.

9. Interpret findings.

10. Draw conclusions.

11. Make recommendations.

12. Write and present report.