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Using realist approaches in nutrition and dietetics research
Author(s) -
Jenkins Gemma,
Maugeri Isabella,
Palermo Claire,
Hardwick Rebecca
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.479
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1747-0080
pISSN - 1446-6368
DOI - 10.1111/1747-0080.12675
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , context (archaeology) , narrative review , narrative , psychology , medicine , medical education , engineering ethics , nursing , psychotherapist , engineering , paleontology , linguistics , philosophy , biology
Aim The aim of this study was to explore the use and future potential of realist approaches to research in nutrition and dietetics. Methods A targeted literature review was used to search key journals (n = 7) in nutrition and dietetics to identify existing research using a realist approach. A narrative synthesis was conducted to explore findings in relation to the research aim. Results Nine research papers (four realist evaluations, five realist reviews) describing seven nutrition interventions were found, which revealed the application of realist research in nutrition and dietetics has focused on public health interventions. Realist research provided a deeper, more nuanced understanding of varied outcomes including the role of context, and contributed to the development of theory about how and why interventions work. As a theory‐driven research method, realist research was able to assist in overcoming methodological shortcomings to contribute to meaningful, transferable findings. Conclusion The results highlight the potential contribution of the realist research in nutrition and dietetics to evaluate interventions and inform future practice.