Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-9-8
pubmed:abstractText
This article argues that the case study design is a research method capable of providing valuable data and insight into alternative therapies. The background and roots of the case study in medicine and clinical practice are covered, and the status of the case study as a scientific method is examined. The highly regarded randomized controlled clinical trial--though often powerful and useful--is neither feasible nor ideal for understanding the effects of many unconventional treatment approaches. Given the complexity of the factors involved in unconventional therapeutic applications--health beliefs, changing health paradigms, patient/practitioner interactions, multiple treatment modalities, multiple symptom profiles--the case study approach offers an alternative methodological route for investigating and generating findings in this arena. Reliability and validity of data collection, data reduction, and interpretation can be enhanced through steps discussed in this article. As it continues to work with evidence that is currently unorganized, the field of alternative medicine can benefit both in clinical prowess and scientific stature from additional, carefully conducted case studies.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
1078-6791
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
4
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
44-52
pubmed:dateRevised
2005-11-16
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1998
pubmed:articleTitle
The case study as a scientific method for researching alternative therapies.
pubmed:affiliation
Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco, Calif., USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review