Basic Nut M1L2

• Nutrition as a science

  Foundation in several other sciences including biology, biochemistry, physiology
• Tremendous growth in nutritional genomics due to sequencing of human genome
• Conducting research


  1. Use of scientific method

  2. Research studies with controls, randomization, sample size, placebos, double-blind experiments
• Variable


  May depend on another variable or be independent
• Hypothesis


  An unproven statement that tentatively explains the relationships between two or more variables
• Theory


  A tentative explanation that integrates many and diverse findings to further the understanding of a defined topic
• Replication


  Repeating an experiment and obtaining similar results
• Peer review


  A process in which a panel of scientists rigorously evaluates a research study to ensure that the scientific method was followed
• Correlation


  The simultaneous increase, decrease, or change in two variables (does not mean A causes B or vice versa)
• Association


  The relationship between two variables (does not mean A prevents B or vice versa)
• Control group


  A group of individuals similar in all possible respects to the experimental group except for the treatment, ideally receiving a placebo
• Experimental group


  A group of individuals similar in all possible respects to the control group except for the treatment, receiving the real treatment
• Single-blind experiment


  An experiment in which the subjects do not know which group they will belong to
• Double-blind experiment


  An experiment in which neither the subjects nor the researchers know which subjects are members of the experimental group and which are serving as control subjects, until after the experiment is over
• Placebo


  An inert, sham treatment used in controlled research studies to provide comfort and hope
• Placebo effect


  A change that occurs in response to expectations about the effectiveness of a treatment that actually has no pharmaceutical effects
• Research findings are preliminary when published and need to be replicated to be meaningful
• People tend to believe what they hear repeatedly, even if it has no basis in fact
• The best consumer information cites sources for reported facts