Contextualising the Use of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodologies in Chinese Medicine: Epistemological and Ethical Issues

摘要

Research into the effects of medical interventions is one of the oldest traditions of any medicine, as is the study of its ethical dimension. In this paper, we briefly describe and recount the history of both quantitative and qualitative methods in clinical research. We discuss key theoretical, methodological and practical features of both methodological perspectives and consider some of the central ideas of medical ethics. We sketch a theory of the relationship between the quantitative and qualitative as essentially complementary and interdependent. The theory is illustrated by reference to the placebo effect and a research 'case study from within the Chinese medicine community. We conclude that despite the challenges, combined research methodologies in Chinese medicine offer both scientific and ethical benefits.