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The primary aim of this study was to measure registered dietitians' (RDs') research involvement (by creating a research score) and to determine whether their perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of evidence-based practice and key antecedent factors (eg, sociodemographic characteristics, education and training, professional experiences, and employment setting) predicted their research involvement.This cross-sectional, descriptive study used the Dietitian Research Involvement Survey and followed the Tailored Design Method.This study surveyed 258 randomly selected RDs from seven dietetic practice groups of the American Dietetic Association.Descriptive statistics, bivariate relationships, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to test whether perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of evidence-based practice score and antecedent factors predicted the research score of dietitians.Perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of evidence-based practice score (r = 0.59, P0.0005), level of education (r = 0.53, P0.0005), taking a research course (r = 0.40, P0.0005), last time read research (r = 0.35, P0.0005), frequency of professional reading (r = 0.32, P0.0005), primary area of practice (r = 0.14, P = 0.02), association memberships (r = 0.14, P = 0.02), and dietetic practice group affiliation (r = 0.14, P = 0.02) were significantly correlated with research score. Using multivariate linear regression, the perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of evidence-based practice score (beta = 0.48, P0.0005) and level of education (beta = 0.39, P0.0005) were identified as the strongest predictors of research score.Involvement in research by RDs is largely determined by their perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of evidence-based practice and their level of education. Additional education and training related to research methodology and design, and evidence-based practice, is essential for greater participation in research activities by RDs.

The purpose of this study was to examine current professional practices of registered dietitians (RDs) in the Diabetes Care and Education dietetic practice group (DPG), analyzed by levels of practice: entry-level, specialty-practice, or advanced-level. The results of the Diabetes Care and Education DPG 2002–2003 membership survey were used for this study. The study was limited to RD members of the Diabetes Care and Education DPG who completed the membership survey in its entirety. Frequency distributions, χ 2 , Fisher exact test, and cluster analysis were performed with a prior alpha set at .10. Sixty-one (5.0%) RDs were functioning as an entry-level practitioner, 851 (69.1%) were functioning as a specialty-practice practitioner, and 320 (25.1%) as an advanced-level practitioner. Significantly more advanced-level practitioners were performing more tasks compared with entry-level practitioners. Entry-level RDs performed a mean of 2.4 functions, specialty-practice practitioners performed 7.7, and advanced-level practitioners performed 11.6 functions. The results of this survey further delineated that RDs function at various levels of practice and that credentials for RDs increased as level of practice advanced.

The objective of this study was to measure dietitians' perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of evidence-based practice (PAK score), and to determine whether antecedent factors (eg, sociodemographic characteristics, education and training, professional experiences, and employment setting) predicted PAK score.This cross-sectional, descriptive study used the Dietitian Research Involvement Survey following the Tailored Design Method.This study surveyed 500 randomly selected registered dietitians from seven dietetic practice groups of the American Dietetic Association.Bivariate relationships were examined between antecedent factors and PAK score. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to test whether these factors predicted PAK score.Higher PAK scores were associated with registered dietitians who completed more years of education (r=0.28, P.0005), had taken a research course (r=0.28, P.0005), frequently read research articles (r=0.41, P.0005), earned an advanced-level board certification (r=0.18, P=.004), worked full-time (r=0.26, P.0005), or belonged to professional organizations (r=0.18, P=.003). The strongest predictors for PAK score were "last time read research" (beta=.33, P.0005), work status (beta=.20, P.0005), level of education (beta=.19, P=.001), and association memberships (beta=.14, P=.01).Results indicated that dietitians' ability to incorporate an evidence-based approach is largely determined by their education and training, work experience, and professional association involvement. This study identified a need to integrate concepts and principles of evidence-based practice into dietetics curriculums so that practitioners are able to routinely apply research findings to clinical practice.