Influence of Research Involvement on the Interpretation and Implementation of a Research Competency in Dietetic...

Experiential learning theory was utilized as the overarching framework for this study because the research experiences of dietetic internship (DI) directors likely influences the way they manage the DI research curriculum. The literature suggests that dietitians and dietetic educators lack research knowledge and skills, resulting in a research-competency gap. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of the research involvement of DI directors and their interpretation and implementation of a research competency within their programs.

This study utilized a cross-sectional, survey design, which consisted of DI directors who managed ACEND accredited DI programs (n=96).

The data indicated that the research involvement of DI directors influences both their interpretation and implementation of the research competency. Discriminant analysis revealed that level of research involvement differentiated significantly among interpretation and implementation of the research competency.

The results of this study showed DI directors who scored higher on the research involvement continuum had a more complete interpretation and implementation of the research competency, which reinforces the importance of experiential learning. These findings could be used by DI directors and other dietetic educators to inform curricular decisions that bridge the research-competency gap between curriculum and practice within dietetics.