How to Confidently Critique Nutrition Research
Have you ever wondered “How can I tell if this study is credible or flawed?” or “Is this a good or bad study?”
Have you been left confused with who to trust after hearing claims supported by generic phrases like “studies show…” or “research says…”?
Now there is a resource that allows you to go beyond such issues and finally feel confident and comfortable in reading and interpreting nutrition research.
Applied Nutrition Literacy is a comprehensive, structured course that leave you confident and highly-skilled in your critical appraisal of nutrition studies.
Developed by Dr. Alan Flanagan and Danny Lennon, the course is not only has a structured, progressive explanation of all the crucial concepts you need to know, but it is also full of real examples of study critiques.
The result is that you will finish the course with a rock-solid understanding that will remain with you.
How to Critique Nutrition Research with Confidence and Competence
Nutrition is a challenging and complex area of research, with many unique considerations when interpreting studies.
In the era of pop-science podcasts, social media misinformation and pseudoscientific influencers, developing critical and scientific literacy has never been more important.
For practitioners, nutrition research literacy is essential for decision-making grounded in the best available evidence.
For the wider public, scientific literacy is crucial for questioning the validity of claims and popular trends.
This course gives you the tools you need to achieve this.
You Will Learn How To:
- Become a true scientific and critical thinker
- Comprehensively understand research designs, methodologies, and terminology
- Critically appraise nutrition studies of varying design, with real confidence
- Skillfully interpret research findings and apply them in context
Course Syllabus
Module 1: Being a Scientific Thinker
1.01: What is Science?
1.02: What is a Scientific Thinker?
1.03: What is “Evidence”? What is “Scientific Proof”?
1.04: The Scientific Process
1.05: Falsification
1.06: Transparency & Bad Science
1.07: Structure of a Research Paper
Module 2: How to Read Research Effectively to Inform Practice
2.01: Filtering Research (Identifying Relevant Papers)
2.02: Identifying the Research Question
2.03: How to Skim/Scan with Intent
2.04: The First Read-Through
2.05: Scrutinising Data Tables & Figures
2.06: Review & Incorporation into Overall Knowledge Base
Module 3: Becoming Comfortable with Common Statistical Methods
3.01: Why Use Statistics?
3.02: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data
3.03: Dependent vs. Independent Variables
3.04: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
3.05a: Epidemiological Risk Estimates
3.05b: T-tests, ANOVA, and Regression
Module 4: Considerations for Interpreting Nutrition Research
4.01: Hierarchy of Evidence vs. Standards of Proof
4.02: Looking for Converging Lines of Evidence
4.03: Issues with Applying Principles of Reductionism to Nutrition Research
4.04: Confounding and Control Variables
4.05: Internal & External Validity
4.06: Introduction to Types of Nutrition Research and Evidential Frameworks
Module 5: Nutritional Epidemiology
5.01: What is Nutritional Epidemiology? Benefits & Shortcomings
5.02: Trial Designs & Their Application
5.03: Methods of Dietary Assessment
5.04: Understanding Reported Results
5.05: Division of the Exposure of Interest
5.06: Temporal Relationships
5.07: Population Types & Considerations for Interpreting Findings
Module 6: Randomised Controlled Trials and Mendelian Randomisation
6.01: Design Aspects of Biomedical Randomised Controlled Trials
6.02: Levels of Control in Nutrition Studies
6.03: Issues in Applying Biomedical RCT Model to Nutrition Interventions
6.04: Reductionism & Null Findings in Nutrition Interventions
6.05: Reconciling Conflicting Findings Between RCTs and Epidemiology
6.06: Introduction to Mendelian Randomisation [MR]
6.07: One Sample vs. Two Sample MR
6.08: Considerations for MR of Nutritional Exposures
Module 7: Meta-Analysis
7.01: Conceptual Basis for Meta-Analysis
7.02: Interpreting Forest Plots and Meta-Analysis Results
7.03: The Importance of the Primary Included Studies
7.04: Meta-Analysis of Nutritional Epidemiological Research
7.05: Meta-Analysis of Nutritional Intervention Trials
Module 8: Mechanistic Research and Animal Models
8.01: Mechanistic Research
8.02: Cell Models in Nutrition Research
8.03: Animal Studies in Nutrition Research
Enroll in Course
Enrollment for the next cohort is currently open until Friday April 12th.
The next course cohort starts on Monday April 15th.
The course will be available at it’s lowest ever price for this current enrollment period.
And there is a special price of just €579 for the first 20 students to enroll!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer a student discount?
Yes! We offer currently-enrolled students 20% off the normal price.
In order to get the discount:
- Take a screenshot of your university web portal, clearly showing current enrollment.
- Please ensure the screenshot shows the current semester (e.g. Spring 2024 or the date/time).
- Open this application form.
- Upload the screenshot, along with your name and email address.
- Once we’ve received your application, we’ll email you details of how to avail of the student discount.
When does the enrollment period end?
Enrollment closes on Friday April 12th.
Do I get immediate access?
The course will begin for everyone on Monday April 15th. On that date you will get access to Module 1. Followed by Module 2 on Sunday April 21st.
What is the course schedule/timing?
Below you can see the dates for the start of each module. However, bear in mind that you don’t have to stick to this schedule. The course can be completed at pace that suits your learning preferences and professional/personal schedule.
- Module 1: April 15
- Module 2: April 21
- Module 3: April 28
- Module 4: May 05
- Module 5: May 12
- Module 6: May 26
- Module 7: June 9
- Module 8: June 23
Who is this course for?
This course is for those who want to be able to critically appraise nutrition research. This will include medical professionals, nutrition practitioners, nutrition science academics, and nutrition/health/medical students. However, it is also suitable for people outside of these professions who are keenly interested in nutrition science.
How much does the course cost?
For the first cohort intake, the course will be a special launch price of €579. This will be the lowest price the course will be available for. Subsequent cohorts will be priced at the “full” normal price. Students can get a discount (see details above in this FAQ).
Do I have to attend live lectures?
No. All of the core course lectures are pre-recorded so you can watch them whenever you want. However, the modules will become available on a schedule (as detailed in answer above).
We may do some bonus live sessions, but they will be recorded anyway. But all the main course content is pre-recorded, so you can study when it suits you!
Can I ask questions during the course?
Yes! You will be able to submit questions and we will record answers to these throughout the course. So you’ll finish the course will all your burning questions answered.
How are the modules structured?
Each module contains anywhere between 4-8 lessons. Lessons vary in length between 10-25 minutes typically. Within a module you can decide how many lessons to do at a time.
Each lesson lecture video also comes with supplementary written material with images, which will serve to review and reinforce learning.