Research Paper Thought Piece

This research paper is important to me and the world because it has a focus on the old saying, “it’s the little things that count.”  In a world consumed by smartphones, something as simple as body language could make all the difference.  I see body language as a color, and the right body language has an appealing color to the viewer.  For example, right now, I am looking out my window (I’m on the sixth story of my tower) and over a parking lot.  Immediately, my eyes go to the neon-green car amidst the other cars.  Similarly, in person, especially in a college setting, my eye immediately goes to the person who isn’t looking down at a screen.  In terms of my research, a client would be able to point out the dietitian who stands out, especially if the right body language is what helped in making the decision.   Thus, my research paper will help to clarify said process and show how it helps everyone.

One thing that I am having a hard time figuring out for my research paper is simply determining the sequence of information.  Most of my information is organized by relevance and I know exactly what each source will be used for in context, I just don’t know when to introduce the information while keeping in mind that it should flow as a whole.  The goal of the paper is clear, and the beginning of the paper is simple, but the question is: how to get from point A to point B by using 1 2 3? Which should be one? One and three seem to reflect ideas off each other, but where does that put two?

Conference

Annotated Bibliography

Barrita De Defranchi, Romina L., and Jennifer K. Nelson. "Evolution and Trends of the Dietetics Profession in the United States of America and in Argentina: North and South United by Similar Challenges."Archivo Latinoamericanos De Nutricion 59.2 (2009): n. pag. 15 Apr. 2009. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

            This article looks at the history of education and practices in the dietetics profession, comparing between North America and South America, the United States and Argentina (since the first Latin American dietetics school was established there), respectively.  Major influences from both cultures are reviewed to determine how they may have shaped the dietetics profession into what it is today.  The article provides a basis from which to predict where the dietetics profession might be headed in the near future.

Cant, R. P., and R. A. Aroni. "Exploring Dietitians’ Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Skills for Effective Dietitian–patient Communication." Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 21.5 (2008): 502-11. 9 Jul. 2008. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

This article explains the methodology and results of a research study intended to expand on currently known information about how dietitians communicate with patients during the nutritional education process.  With other dietitians as the intended audience, the authors focus on explaining the segments of the experiment, since it consists of two parts, and the culmination of their individual results.  The evidence provided in the conclusion supports the authors’ argument by claiming that an understanding of the results of the study could contribute to the enhancement of relationships between dietitians and their patients.

Cant, R. P. "Communication Competence within Dietetics: Dietitians’ and Clients’ Views about the Unspoken Dialogue – the Impact of Personal Presentation." Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 22.6 (2009): 504-10. 6 Nov. 2009. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

            This article reviews the results of a study that aims at describing how dietitians and their clients interpret the characteristics assumed merely from presentation of dress attire.  Being a variant of non-verbal communication, dress attire played a big role in how clients viewed their designated dietitian.  By practice, dietitians are expected to dress formally, but because body image is a huge area of judgment in the eye of a client, clients prefer that they be able to observe the true physique of their dietitian.  This study successfully determines how both dietitians and clients perceive their selected dress attire and the effect it has on communication.

Fileti, Cecilia P. "Ethics Opinion: Eliminating Dietetics-Related Inequalities." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 111.2 (2011): 307-09. Science Direct. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

            This article calls attention to the inequalities of minorities in the dietetics field, both within the profession itself and within the client base, simply with the intention to raise awareness.  In doing so, the author encourages not only educating current dietitians on cultural differences, but also hiring more dietitians of a more diverse ethnic background, both with a common purpose of being able to relate better with patients from minority cultures, therefore increasing client base.  Non-verbal communication is more obvious in this aspect, but less often recognized, since the mere color of one’s skin makes a difference.  The author does a good job of explaining all facets of her argument.

Goldberg, Jeanne P., and Jennifer P. Hellwig. "Nutrition Communication: Exciting Opportunities for Dietitians." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 103.1 (2003): 25-26. Science Direct. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

            This articles seeks to emphasize non-traditional practices in the dietetics field through nutritional communication, which is in higher demand than ever since the general population wants to be sure that the health messages in media and magazines is true and accurate.  Interpretation of research data, clear written and verbal communication skills, and relatability to diverse groups of people are all traits desired in a registered dietitian participating in nutritional communication. The authors provide basic guidelines for how a dietitian might go about ensuring these desired qualities and consistently raises attention to the responsibilities in the nutritional communication field.

           

Hutson, David J. "“Your Body Is Your Business Card”: Bodily Capital and Health Authority in the Fitness Industry." Social Science & Medicine 90 (2013): 63-71. Science Direct. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

This articles stresses the importance of “bodily capital…the value generated from appearance, attractiveness, and physical ability,” to show how this form of non-verbal communication contributes the credibility of a personal trainer.  Since registered dietitians are seen as a different kind of personal trainer, it is important to understand how clients want to have a physically attractive trainer because the mere appearance proves to be a cue for authority in health, not the degrees and certifications.  The research goes to show that trainers with a low bodily capital had a high correlation to a lower demand from clients, while those with a higher bodily capital had a higher demand from clients. 

Kuzmanovic, Bojana, Gary Bente, Yves Von Cramon, Leonhard Schilbach, Marc Tittgemeyer, and Kai Vogeley. "Imaging First Impressions: Distinct Neural Processing of Verbal and Nonverbal Social Information." NeuroImage 60.1 (2012): 179-88. Science Direct. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

            This article aims “to investigate the neural bases of the influence of verbal as compared to nonverbal information on interpersonal judgments.”  The study consists of neural analyses from participants while exposed to both verbal and nonverbal cues, showing that different parts of the brain react to each.  The authors show to the medical public how social assumptions can be easily made by looking at the specific activity that occurs in the brain.  This information is useful in scientifically explaining the influences of body language, especially in the professional world.

McCaffree, Jim. "Client Satisfaction: Turning Referrals into Regulars." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 102.3 (2002): 340-41. Science Direct. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

            This article instructs current dietitians to focus on client satisfaction by interviewing members of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs dietetic practice group and reporting their answers.  Building relationships with clients, proper reimbursement, and knowing what to improve are all methods contributing to client satisfaction, as is described within the article.  Being aware of this general goal helps dietitians across the entire profession have a larger client base in the future due to the resulting expansion of “the public’s appreciation of the dietetics profession.”

Puri, Ruchi, Carol Bell, and William D. Evers. "Dietetics Students' Ability to Choose Appropriate Communication and Counseling Methods Is Improved by Teaching Behavior-Change Strategies in Computer-Assisted Instruction." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 110.6 (2010): 892-97. Science Direct. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

            This article looks at students who are prospective dietitians and argues that they do not achieve enough experience observing or participating in client counseling sessions, therefore offering the solution of computer-assisted instruction (CAI).  The author explores a study of students using the CAI program and notes the difference in communication and counseling skills between students who use the program and those who don’t, showing that those who do clearly are more capable of communication than those who don’t.  The article supports the idea that simple experience through observation provides enough information for a prospective student to react with proper verbal and nonverbal responses while communicating with clients in their early stages of the career, which are very important for founding their future.

 

Whitehead, K. A., S. C. Langley-Evans, V. Tischler, and J. A. Swift. "Development and Initial Validation of an Assessment Tool for Communication Skills in Dietetics." Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (2011): 406-07. 1 Aug. 2011. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

            This article inquires about the benefits of possibly having more research in the area of communication within the dietetics field due to the value of communication by both client and dietitian.  The authors look at the validity of content both from undergraduate, prospective dietitians and current, exceptional professionals and compare them to each other in order to determine just how much communication is valued at both extremes of progress throughout the career.  The authors agree that communication from an experience professional is more confident and effective but relatively similar to communication from a new dietitian, showing that, from the beginning, communication is imperative to professionals in the dietetics field. 

Proposal:

Modern-day dietitians need to have a fortified background knowledge about physical, non-verbal communication just as much as verbal communication to create a client-base that is more committed, loyal, and motivated than the current standard, which would result in a more successful career.

This issue deserves attention because it would lead to a higher success rate over the dietetics profession, leading to an increase in demand from the public due to a higher regard of the profession as a whole, which would consequently lead to more positions in the field.

The issue would be directed towards current dietitians, but meant to be read by an audience of students and prospective dietitians so that they, too, can begin to consider the future and how to prepare for it.

I want to find research publications and customer reviews in tandem from the past and present to combine with research statistics and psychological information (about body language) to foresee the effects of non-verbal communication in the future.  The information should consist of scientific and medical studies, professional opinions, and opinions of the general public (namely, clients of dietitians).

Research Proposal

Proposal:

Modern-day dietitians need to have a fortified background knowledge about physical, non-verbal communication to create a client-base that is more committed, loyal, and motivated than the current standard, which would result a more successful career.  

-This issue deserves attention because it would lead to a higher success rate over the dietetics profession, leading to an increase in demand from the public, leading to more positions in the field.

-The issue would be directed towards current dietitians, but meant to be read by an audience of students and prospective dietitians so that they, too, can begin to consider the future.

-I want to find research publications and customer reviews in tandem from the past and present to combine with research statistics and psychological information (about body language) to foresee the effects of non-verbal communication in the future.