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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2006.08.001 Byline: Alex Broom (a), Jon Adams (b) Abstract: This paper examines the topics discussed over the course of the Complementary Therapies in Medicine (CAM) research methods series and looks ahead at research methods that either have not been discussed so far in the series or are currently emerging as potentially useful research tools. It is emphasised that an in-depth knowledge of methodological advances (and existing tools) is vital if researchers are to design and implement appropriate programs with the ability to adequately address the vast range of research questions pertinent to CAM. Author Affiliation: (a) School of Social Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia (b) Division of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Qld, Australia

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2005.11.002 Byline: Alex Broom Keywords: Ethics; Social research; Complementary medicine; Research methods Abstract: There are numerous ethical issues that one must consider when developing a research project; however, much discussion about ethics in health research has focused on experimental studies such as clinical trials. As a result, there remains some ambiguity as to the ethical issues that need to be considered in health-related social research. This paper outlines a number of important ethical issues that CAM researchers should be aware of when developing, running and writing up social research. Maintaining high ethical standards is extremely important in social research as it protects participants and researchers, improves the quality of the data retrieved and ensures that future researchers will have access to participants within the community. Author Affiliation: School of Social Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2005.01.001 Byline: Alex Broom Abstract: Qualitative methods, such as the in-depth interview, offer a potentially powerful means of uncovering the complex experiences of patients, carers and clinicians within treatment and decision-making processes. In the context of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), qualitative interview-based projects allow for subjectivity and complexity within human experience, making them a powerful tool for increasing our knowledge of important processes within CAM. However, qualitative interview-based projects are often poorly designed, carried out and analysed. This article provides a guide for CAM researchers on how to use qualitative interviews to produce meaningful, and methodologically sound, research findings. Author Affiliation: School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9UT, UK

There is increasing awareness of a need for rigorous research into complementary and alternative medicine, but as yet, limited guidance has been given to researchers, practitioners and students as to the range and scope of the various methodologies available and how existing methods can be modified for CAM research. This research methods series provides an outline of the main methods for researching CAM-related issues, including clinical trials, cross-sectional studies and qualitative methodologies. Drawing on the experiences of a range of experts in CAM research, each article in this series addresses the scope and strengths of a particular methodological approach. This series aims to convey the basis and objectives of particular methodologies within the context of CAM research, and thus, each paper will draw on actual examples of CAM research. It is intended to be of value both to inexperienced researchers and to those who are more experienced but are looking to broaden their range of knowledge. In this introduction, we outline some of the fundamental concepts for researching CAM, providing an overall sense of where each methodological approach outlined in this series fits in the 'order of things'. We outline different design strategies, the philosophical differences underpinning particular approaches to collecting data, and the issue of bias in research design and analysis.