Department of Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
School of Life & Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2022 Oct;35(5):934-947. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13004. Epub 2022 Apr 7.
Research is a cornerstone of evidence-based dietetic practice. Research skills are often taught at university through experiential learning during a final-year research project. The present study aimed to investigate attitudes towards research and confidence in research skills among student dietitians before and after a research project.
A questionnaire survey of student dietitians' attitudes to research and confidence in research skills was undertaken before and after completing a research project at two universities in London, UK. Dichotomous data were compared before and after the research project using a McNemar's test. Factors associated with 'high confidence' or 'improved confidence' in overall research skills at the end of the research project were investigated using multivariable logistic regression.
In total, 160 student dietitians completed a questionnaire before and after their research project. The majority had positive attitudes to research both before and after their research project. There was an increase in numbers with 'high confidence' in overall research skills before (13; 8.1%) and after (79; 49.4%) the research project (p < 0.001), and 113 (70.6%) reported 'improved confidence' in overall research skills. The only factor associated with 'high confidence' in overall research skills was having 'high levels of involvement in the overall research process' (odds ratio = 6.13, 95% confidence interval = 2.03-18.49, p = 0.001).
Student dietitians have positive attitudes towards research and undertaking a research project significantly improves confidence in their research skills. A higher level of involvement in the research project is the single most significant factor associated with high confidence in research skills.
研究是循证营养学实践的基石。研究技能通常通过在大学最后一年的研究项目中进行体验式学习来教授。本研究旨在调查学生营养师在完成研究项目前后对研究的态度和对研究技能的信心。
在英国伦敦的两所大学，通过问卷调查的方式，对学生营养师对研究的态度和对研究技能的信心进行了调查，该调查在完成研究项目前后进行。使用 McNemar 检验比较研究项目前后的二分数据。使用多变量逻辑回归调查研究项目结束时对整体研究技能“高度自信”或“信心增强”的相关因素。
共有 160 名学生营养师在完成研究项目前后完成了一份问卷。他们大多数人对研究持积极态度，无论是在研究项目之前还是之后。在研究项目之前，有“高度自信”的人数增加（13；8.1%），在研究项目之后，有“高度自信”的人数增加（79；49.4%）（p<0.001），113 人（70.6%）报告“信心增强”。唯一与整体研究技能“高度自信”相关的因素是“高度参与整体研究过程”（比值比=6.13，95%置信区间=2.03-18.49，p=0.001）。
学生营养师对研究持积极态度，进行研究项目显著提高了他们对研究技能的信心。更高程度地参与研究项目是与研究技能高度自信最相关的唯一因素。
