An Update to Scientific Decision Making: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Scientific Integrity Principles

Abstract

In 2015, the Council on Research published their vision for scientific decision making, which provided nutrition and dietetics practitioners and practitioners-in-training key information on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' newly developed scientific integrity principles. Given that it has been 7 years since the original publication, it was believed the original six principles should be revisited and updated. From the Subcommittee on Scientific Integrity Principles under the Council on Research, the 2015 principles were evaluated and updated with new literature and best practices for maintaining scientific integrity principles. After this review process, four new/updated principles were approved by the Council on Research. These include: 1) the ethical conduct of research and protection of human subjects, 2) funder's influence on the research question/methodology/education content and conflicts of interest, 3) review of research-related materials, and 4) maintain and promote a culture of scientific integrity. Moreover, it became clear that newer topics, including diversity, equity, and inclusion should be woven throughout the principles. This article presents the newly updated principles and resources related to scientific integrity principles. We envision that this document can be used by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to educate members and serve as a guide to incorporate these principles into all research practices and at all levels of dietetics practice.