title: Communication of scientific uncertainty: international case studies on the development of folate and vitamin D Dietary Reference Values.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transparent evidence-based decision making has been promoted worldwide to engender trust in science and policy making. Yet, little attention has been given to transparency implementation. The degree of transparency (focused on how uncertain evidence was handled) during the development of folate and vitamin D Dietary Reference Values was explored in three a priori defined areas: (i) value request; (ii) evidence evaluation; and (iii) final values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative case studies (semi-structured interviews and desk research). A common protocol was used for data collection, interview thematic analysis and reporting. Results were coordinated via cross-case synthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Australia and New Zealand, Netherlands, Nordic countries, Poland, Spain and UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one interviews were conducted in six case studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transparency of process was not universally observed across countries or areas of the recommendation setting process. Transparency practices were most commonly seen surrounding the request to develop reference values (e.g. access to risk manager/assessor problem formulation discussions) and evidence evaluation (e.g. disclosure of risk assessor data sourcing/evaluation protocols). Fewer transparency practices were observed to assist with handling uncertainty in the evidence base during the development of quantitative reference values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of transparency policies may be limited by a lack of dedicated resources and best practice procedures, particularly to assist with the latter stages of reference value development. Challenges remain regarding the best practice for transparently communicating the influence of uncertain evidence on the final reference values. Resolving this issue may assist the evolution of nutrition risk assessment and better inform the recommendation setting process.
authors.affiliation: 1Food Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre,School of Psychology,Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences,University of Surrey,Guildford GU2 7XH,Surrey,UK.
authors.forename: Kerry A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: 1Food Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre,School of Psychology,Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences,University of Surrey,Guildford GU2 7XH,Surrey,UK.
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Wit
authors.affiliation: 1Food Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre,School of Psychology,Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences,University of Surrey,Guildford GU2 7XH,Surrey,UK.
authors.forename: Lada
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Timotijevic
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Entrepreneurship and Relationship Management,University of Southern Denmark,Kolding,Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne-Mette
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sonne
authors.affiliation: 3MAPP Centre,School of Business and Social Sciences,Aarhus University,Aarhus,Denmark.
authors.forename: Liisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lähteenmäki
authors.affiliation: 4Faculty of Health Sciences,Department of Clinical Sciences,University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria,Las Palmas,Gran Canaria,Spain.
authors.forename: Noé
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brito Garcia
authors.affiliation: 5Department of Human Nutrition,Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW (WULS-SGGW),Warsaw,Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jeruszka-Bielak
authors.affiliation: 5Department of Human Nutrition,Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW (WULS-SGGW),Warsaw,Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sicińska
authors.affiliation: 6School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences,Deakin University,Burwood,Victoria,Australia.
authors.forename: Alana N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: 6School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences,Deakin University,Burwood,Victoria,Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.affiliation: 1Food Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre,School of Psychology,Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences,University of Surrey,Guildford GU2 7XH,Surrey,UK.
authors.forename: Monique M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Raats
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003657:Decision Making; D004032:Diet; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D009520:New Zealand; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011044:Poland; D011050:Policy Making; D036301:Qualitative Research; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D013030:Spain; D035501:Uncertainty; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Advisory committee