Research Methods in Nutritional Anthropometry
Expert-defined terms from the Advanced Certificate in Nutritional Anthropometry course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Anthropometry #
The systematic measurement of the human body and its physical attributes, used in nutritional anthropometry to assess health and nutritional status.
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) #
A method for estimating body composition, which measures the opposition of body tissues to the flow of an electrical current. Related terms: body fat percentage, phase angle, extracellular water, intracellular water.
Confounding variables #
Factors that can distort the relationship between an independent and dependent variable, leading to inaccurate research findings. Related terms: systematic error, random error, bias.
Controlled study #
A research design in which the investigator manipulates one or more variables to determine their effect on another variable, while keeping all other variables constant. Related terms: experimental group, control group, independent variable, dependent variable.
Cross #
sectional study: A research design in which data is collected at a single point in time to compare different groups or variables. Related terms: prevalence, incidence, longitudinal study.
Dependent variable #
The variable being measured or observed in a research study, which is expected to change in response to the independent variable. Related terms: independent variable, controlled study, confounding variables.
Doubly labeled water (DLW) #
A method for measuring energy expenditure, which involves the administration of water labeled with stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen. Related terms: total energy expenditure, resting energy expenditure, physical activity level.
Error #
A deviation from the true value in a measurement or research study, which can be either random or systematic. Related terms: confounding variables, bias, precision, accuracy.
Experimental group #
The group in a controlled study that receives the intervention or treatment being tested. Related terms: control group, independent variable, dependent variable.
Extracellular water (ECW) #
The fluid located outside of the cells in the body, measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Related terms: intracellular water, phase angle, body fat percentage.
Independent variable #
The variable being manipulated or changed in a research study, which is expected to have an effect on the dependent variable. Related terms: dependent variable, controlled study, confounding variables.
Informed consent #
The process of obtaining voluntary agreement from research participants to participate in a study, after they have been informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Related terms: human subjects protection, institutional review board.
Intracellular water (ICW) #
The fluid located inside of the cells in the body, measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Related terms: extracellular water, phase angle, body fat percentage.
Longitudinal study #
A research design in which data is collected over a period of time to examine changes or trends in a variable or group. Related terms: cross-sectional study, prevalence, incidence.
Precision #
The degree of consistency or reproducibility in a measurement or research study, which indicates the reliability of the results. Related terms: error, accuracy, validity.
Phase angle #
A measure of cell membrane integrity and health, derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Related terms: extracellular water, intracellular water, body fat percentage.
Random error #
A type of error that occurs due to chance or uncontrolled variables, leading to variability in research findings. Related terms: systematic error, confounding variables, bias, precision.
Reliability #
The consistency or reproducibility of a measurement or research study, which indicates the degree to which the results can be trusted. Related terms: precision, accuracy, validity, error.
Resting energy expenditure (REE) #
The amount of energy expended by the body at rest, measured by indirect calorimetry or doubly labeled water (DLW). Related terms: total energy expenditure, physical activity level, basal metabolic rate.
Sample size #
The number of participants or observations included in a research study, which affects the power and generalizability of the results. Related terms: power, generalizability, statistical significance.
Systematic error #
A type of error that occurs due to predictable or consistent bias, leading to inaccurate research findings. Related terms: random error, confounding variables, bias, precision.