Research, evidence and demonstrating impact are central to advancing nutrition and dietetic practice, forming one of the four pillars of practice within the BDA Dietetic Career Framework. All members of the dietetic profession have a role in contributing to the generation, application, and evaluation of research activities to improve outcomes, influence policy, and enhance services. This page brings together key information and resources to support awareness of research, evidence and impact, and to develop the knowledge and skills needed to confidently demonstrate and maximise the value of dietetic practice.
Research activities are central to nutrition and dietetic practice. Discover what we mean by research activities, why they matter, and how members of the dietetic workforce are involved.
The BDA Research Symposium is the annual event that showcases the breadth of research across dietetics.
Every member of the dietetic workforce has a part to play in supporting and conducting research studies. The first steps to being involved is to understand the principles of conducting research.
We support our members to conduct research that will inform and advance nutrition and dietetic practice. This page features current opportunities to engage in members research including surveys, questionnaires and interviews.
JHND is an international peer-reviewed journal that provides the latest research, reviews, practice guidelines and discussion papers across the fields of nutrition and dietetics. Free online for BDA members, small charge for printed copies.
The BDA has joined forces with Dietitians Australia and Dietitians of Canada to offer members free access to their world-leading dietetic journals.
The NHS Long Term plan encourages outcome collection as this enables us to identify processes that are effective as well as those that may need adapting; to improve service-user care and ensure a cost-effective service is provided with resources allocated accordingly.
Evidence based practice is at the core of nutrition and dietetic practice. It is important that all members of the nutrition and dietetic workforce understand what is meant by evidence based practice, and that it is embedded into practice.
The process of evidence-based practice can be summarised into five distinct steps; Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply and Evaluate. Find out more about each step and resources that can support you throughout the process.
There are a wealth of opportunities that members can get involved in which will support achieving the capabilities within the research and evidence pillar of practice, as well as providing valuable CPD. Take a look at how you and your team could get involved.
PEN is a global nutrition and dietetic resource that provides quick online access to the evidence-base on more than 200 nutrition and dietetic related topics, and translates this into practical information.
A joint initiative between the AFN, BDA, BNF and the Nutrition Society. Their objective is to improve public health and wellbeing by supporting excellence in research, education, and associated activities to advance the knowledge and application of evidence-based nutrition science.
Practice guidelines are evidence-based recommendations developed to support informed decision making about service user care. Find out about the key sources of practice guidelines within nutrition and dietetics.
Developing practice guidance is an essential part of nutrition and dietetic practice and supports informed decision making about service user care. Find out the key steps to developing guidance and how the BDA can support you.
Research is often a collaborative activity, and it can be useful to network and share learning, experiences and research opportunities with other members, colleagues and healthcare professionals.
As research is often a collaborative activity, the BDA has set up a dietetic research network discussion forum to allow any BDA members from the dietetic workforce to network and share experiences and research opportunities.