Survey tools for measuring research or evidence‐based practice constructs in dietetics: A narrative review.

Background: Exact quantification of research conducted by dietitians and tracking the effectiveness of interventions or training programs to increase either evidence‐based practice (EBP) or research behaviours have been hampered by the variety of tools used to measure these constructs. Methods: In this narrative review, we identified and classified the various tools previously used to measure constructs related to research and/or EBP in the dietetics profession, and to summarise estimates of the constructs measured. Results: We identified and classified 15 scored tools that had been used at least once in the dietetics profession and extracted tool parameter estimates from 22 resulting papers. We also identified six unscored tools and three qualitative studies. The most frequent constructs measured were attitudes and behaviours. Very few tools measured objective knowledge (skills). No objective measures of research outputs were identified. Several tools were closely related to one another. Conclusions: Even when tools were used across multiple papers, reporting method varied making comparisons difficult. This review should encourage future researchers to utilise existing tools when possible, and encourage the development or adaptation and testing of tools that fill identified gaps. The constructs measured by the tools identified may also provide a starting point for the development of educational interventions aiming to increase research or EBP skills among dietitians. Only by using consistent tools will the dietetics profession be able to track the progress in increasing research conduct and EBP implementation over time. Key points: In this narrative review, we identified 15 scored tools and nine unscored or qualitative tools for assessing research and/or evidence‐based practice knowledge and or conduct by dietitians. No tool was identified as a gold standard. Many tools measured overlapping constructs and/or had evolved over time. Few tools had objective measures of knowledge or behaviour. Researchers should strive to use consistent tools, and develop additional objective measures of these constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]