Role of Self-Concept in Answering Survey Questions on Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Challenges to and Strategies for Improving Data Quality

摘要

Conclusions: There are several sources of misinterpretation of CAM questions. One of the most important sources is whether or not the respondent has created a concept of self-image that includes the use of herbal supplements. Common questionnaire design techniques such as providing definitions to respondents will not help to eliminate misinterpretation due to self-image. We found that careful question wording that does not evoke definitions of self, combined with visual aids that narrow the focus of the questions, can lead to more accurate answers.