Analyze a research article

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Answer the following questions for this research article: Callaghan-Gillespie, M. et al. (2017)Trial of ready-to-use supplemental food and corn-soy blend in pregnant Malawian women with moderate malnutrition: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 106:106-9.

Please use short, concise sentences to answer these questions;

Introduction:

  1. After reading the introduction, explain in your own words the reason(s) why the authors chose to conduct this research study. (3 pts)
  2. What scientific question is being addressed? (2 pts)
  3. What is the authors’ hypothesis (or prediction)? (2 pts)

Subjects and Methods

4. This study is described as a randomized controlled clinical trial. How were the participants randomized? What is the control group? What is meant by single-blind? (3 pts)

5. What criteria were used to select the subjects for the study? (2 pts)

6. Which supplemental foods were compared in this study? How did the energy (calorie) and protein content compare among these foods? (2 pts)

Results

7. Which supplemental food gave the greatest weight gain in pregnant women (Table 3)? And in newborns (Table 4)? Are the weight gains significantly different (P<0.05) in the different groups of pregnant women? (3 pts)

8. What conclusions do the author’s draw from their study? (2 pts)

Discussion

9. Did the study results support the authors’ hypothesis? How strong/convincing are the data? (2 pts)
10. What is a limitation of this study? (2 pts)
11. Suggest a possible future experiment based on this study. (2 pts)