Value of qualitative research in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Hongxia MA; Huiling Liang; Jingshu Gao; Hongli MA; Jianping Liu; Hungyu Ernest NG; Annika Billhult; Elisabet Stener-victorin; Xin MU; Xiaoke WU

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Value of qualitative research in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Author: Hongxia MA ¹ ; Huiling LIANG ² ; Jingshu GAO ² ; Hongli MA ² ; Jianping LIU ³ ; Hungyu Ernest NG ⁴ ; Annika BILLHULT ⁵ ; Elisabet STENER-VICTORIN ⁶ ; Xin MU ² ; Xiaoke WU ⁷
Author Information

1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China.
2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Key Discipline and Clinical Base, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, China.
3. School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
4. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
5. Research and Development Unit, Primary Health Care, Västra Götalandsregionen, Borås, Sweden.
6. Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Key Discipline and Clinical Base, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, China. Email: xiaokewu2002@vip.sina.com.
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: Acupuncture Therapy; methods; Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; therapy
From: Chinese Medical Journal 2014;127(18):3309-3315
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract:
OBJECTIVEThis article aims to introduce the benefits of qualitative research and to discuss how such research can be applied to the study of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
DATA SOURCESRelevant articles were published in English as of May 2013 from Pubmed. Terms "polycystic ovary syndrome/PCOS, qualitative research and methodology" were used for searching.
STUDY SELECTIONArticles studying PCOS with qualitative methods were reviewed. Articles associated with the use of qualitative research in clinical research were cited.
RESULTSSix qualitative studies related to PCOS were found in the literature search. These studies addressed different aspects in PCOS women including their womanhood, lived experience, information need, and experience of treatment with acupuncture. Five of these six studies used phenomenology as guiding theory.
CONCLUSIONQuantitative research has been the dominant approach in the field so far, qualitative research is relevant to the advancement of PCOS.