Evaluating Nutrition Information Sources: Study Guide with Step-by-Step Guidance

Q1. What types of questions should you ask before trusting a source?

Background

Topic: Evaluating Information Sources

This question is about critical thinking and information literacy, especially as it applies to nutrition. It asks you to consider how to assess whether a source is trustworthy before using it for academic or personal decisions.

Key Terms:

• Credibility

• Bias

• Evidence-based

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Consider who authored the source. Is the author an expert in nutrition or a related field?

2. Check if the information is supported by scientific evidence or references to reputable studies.

3. Ask whether the source is up-to-date and relevant to current nutrition guidelines.

4. Evaluate if the source has any potential bias or conflict of interest (e.g., sponsored by a food company).

Try answering these questions for a sample source before moving on!

Q2. What are signs that a website or other source is reliable? Discuss.

Background

Topic: Identifying Reliable Sources

This question focuses on recognizing characteristics of trustworthy sources, which is essential for finding accurate nutrition information.

Key Terms:

• Peer-reviewed

• Domain (e.g., .gov, .edu, .org)

• Transparency

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Look for sources that cite scientific studies or are peer-reviewed.

2. Check the website’s domain—government and educational sites are often more reliable.

3. See if the source provides clear author credentials and contact information.

4. Assess whether the site is free from excessive advertising or sensational claims.

Try listing some reliable websites you know before checking the answer!

Q3. Describe what a conflict of interest is and how it may affect reliability of a study or source.

Background

Topic: Research Ethics and Bias

This question tests your understanding of how financial or personal interests can influence the objectivity of nutrition information.

Key Terms:

• Conflict of Interest

• Objectivity

• Disclosure

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Define what a conflict of interest is in the context of scientific research.

2. Explain how financial ties (e.g., funding from a food company) might influence study outcomes.

3. Discuss why disclosure of conflicts is important for transparency.

Think of an example where a conflict of interest could affect nutrition advice before moving on!

Q4. Define quackery.

Background

Topic: Nutrition Misinformation

This question asks you to understand and define the concept of quackery, which is important for recognizing false or misleading nutrition claims.

Key Terms:

• Quackery

• Pseudoscience

• Fraud

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Start by defining quackery in your own words.

2. Identify common characteristics of quackery in nutrition (e.g., miracle cures, lack of scientific evidence).

3. Explain why quackery is harmful to consumers.

Try to write your own definition before checking the answer!

Q5. Rank types of sources in order of reliability.

Background

Topic: Source Evaluation

This question is about understanding the hierarchy of evidence and reliability in nutrition information sources.

Key Terms:

• Primary source

• Secondary source

• Expert opinion

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. List common types of sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, news articles, blogs).

2. Consider what makes a source more or less reliable (e.g., peer review, author expertise).

3. Arrange the sources from most to least reliable based on these criteria.

Try ranking a few sources before revealing the answer!

Q6. Use the ABCD guidelines to evaluate sources. Describe what each of the letters stand for and how it should be used in evaluation.

Background

Topic: Source Evaluation Frameworks

This question asks you to apply a specific framework (ABCD) for evaluating the quality of nutrition information sources.

Key Terms:

• ABCD Guidelines

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify what each letter in ABCD stands for (e.g., A = Authority, B = Bias, C = Currency, D = Documentation).

2. Explain how to use each criterion to evaluate a source’s reliability.

3. Apply the ABCD guidelines to a sample nutrition website or article.

Try applying the ABCD guidelines to a source you know before checking the answer!

Q7. What are good reliable sources of nutrition information?

Background

Topic: Finding Trustworthy Nutrition Information

This question is about identifying reputable organizations and resources for accurate nutrition information.

Key Terms:

• Registered Dietitian (RD)

• Government agencies (e.g., USDA, NIH)

• Professional organizations (e.g., Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. List examples of reliable sources (e.g., government websites, peer-reviewed journals).

2. Explain why these sources are considered trustworthy (e.g., evidence-based, expert-reviewed).

3. Discuss how to access and use these sources for nutrition information.

Try to name at least three reliable sources before revealing the answer!