Valuing the Diversity of Research Methods to Advance Nutrition Science

Authors: MATTES, RICHARD - Purdue University; ROWE, SYLVIA - S R Strategy; OHLHORST, SARAH - American Society For Nutrition; BROWN, ALISON - National Heart, Lung And Blood Institute(NHLBI, NIH); BROWN, ANDREW - Indiana University; HOFFMAN, DANIEL - Rutgers University; LISKA, DEANN - Texas A&M University; FESKENS, EDITH - Wageningen University And Research Center; DHILLON, JAAPNA - Missouri State University; TUCKER, KATHERINE - University Of Massachusetts; EPSTEIN, LEONARD - University Of Buffalo; NEUFELD, LYNNETTE - Global Alliance For Improved Nutrition (GAIN); KELLEY, MICHAEL - Purdue University; Fukagawa, Naomi

Submitted to: Advances in Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2022
Publication Date: 7/8/2022
Citation: Mattes, R., Rowe, S., Ohlhorst, S., Brown, A., Brown, A., Hoffman, D., Liska, D., Feskens, E., Dhillon, J., Tucker, K., Epstein, L., Neufeld, L., Kelley, M., Fukagawa, N.K. 2022. Valuing the diversity of research methods to advance nutrition science. Advances in Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmac043.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmac043

Interpretive Summary: The Board of Directors of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) appointed the Nutrition Research Task Force to develop a report on scientific methods used in nutrition science to advance discovery, interpretation, and application of knowledge in the field. This report was reviewed and approved by the ASN Board of Directors.

Technical Abstract: The strongest, most reliable, and actionable knowledge stems from confirming research findings by applying dissimilar methods and approaches to study common problems. Hence, embracing the varied methodologies used by nutrition scientists within the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) is critical to the conduct of nutrition science and the formulation of healthful and equitable dietary recommendations. However, recent events have tended to polarize, rather than harmonize, perspectives among ASN members, as evidenced by increasing advocacy of certain points of view at the expense of reasoned consideration of alternate interpretations of the evidence base. This comes with the risk of compromising the quality of science, member productivity, preeminence of the ASN, and credibility of science itself. Most Americans derive their knowledge of what nutrition scientists do from traditional and social media. Thus, it is critical that information from these sources be clear, unbiased, and transparent. This has been increasingly difficult to ensure with growing polarization of views by nutrition scientists on issues such as the roles of different methodologies in addressing important research questions. Importantly, Americans who are more knowledgeable about science hold higher confidence that scientists act in the public’s interest. Thus, efforts to promote interdisciplinary work, recognition and respect for cross-functional skills, and to improve the accuracy and transparency of communication about nutrition science to the media are warranted. Though the primary audience for this report is nutrition researchers and other nutrition professionals, a secondary aim is to develop a document useful for the various audiences that translate nutrition research, including journalists, clinicians, and policymakers. The intent is to promote accurate, transparent, verifiable evidence-based communication about nutrition science. This will facilitate reasoned interpretation and application of emerging findings and, thereby, improve understanding and trust in nutrition science and appropriate characterization, development, and adoption of recommendations. This action is part of a longer-term strategic planning vision for ASN’s centennial, ASN 2028, to be more outward facing as well as more relevant to the field of nutrition research and policy.