Medical Anthropology class assignment

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alan.rad@gmail.com - 05 Apr 2008 20:11 GMT

I am a mechanical engineering student at WSU Vancouver and took a
medical anthropology class for humanities credit. My teacher wants me
to do a study. My hope was to get some response to questions from
folks on this forum. I have a few simple questions and would like some
feedback on possibly better questions to ask.

1. Do you think alternative medicine works?
2. Would you choose alternative medicine over Western medicine (or
vice-versa) and why?
3. Would you take advantage of both forms of medicine?
4. What forms of alternative medicine are most/least effective?
5. What forms of Western medicine are most/least effective?
6. Do you think supplements should be regulated by the government at
the same level as pharmaceuticals?

I admit that I do not know much about the subject, so if anyone is
offended by my questions, please be gentle when you correct me.

Thanks,
Alan Rathbun

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Bee - 05 Apr 2008 22:33 GMT

On Apr 5, 12:11 pm, alan....@gmail.com wrote:

> I am a mechanical engineering student at WSU Vancouver and took a
> medical anthropology class for humanities credit. My teacher wants me
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thanks,
> Alan Rathbun

Alan, you might find it of more use to take a random study in your
neighborhood---
or where you live. This way you might be 100% assured that you are
getting real people
to answer questions. I'm involved in a project, and there's
absolutely no way I'd use
the internet to get information for a study---due to the possibility
of sock puppets, and
ballot box stuffing! My advise is to go hang out at alternative and
traditional medicine
clinics and hospitals and ask questions. Ask questions at spas,
massage therapy schools,
alternative healthcare businesses, and the same with traditional.
This way you are getting
real time people interaction, and you know that it is not just a case
of ballot box stuffing.

Happy research!

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alan.rad@gmail.com - 07 Apr 2008 14:33 GMT

> Alan, you might find it of more use to take a random study in your
> neighborhood---

My plan was to utilize both methods. I thought I might get a few
responses that were genuine. Looks like most people are only
interested in posting ads and promoting websites. Oh well...

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Bee - 07 Apr 2008 15:31 GMT

On Apr 7, 6:33 am, alan....@gmail.com wrote:

> My plan was to utilize both methods. I thought I might get a few
> responses that were genuine. Looks like most people are only
> interested in posting ads and promoting websites. Oh well...

Up pretty early for a college student!! I never got up that
early!!
In a good study, it is also best to do in person interviews, never
know
if you are dealing with sock puppets and one person is filling you
with
ideas that may or may not be factual. I've found that most of the
people
I've interviewed at various places are pretty open and honest, and
even opinionated
about how they feel about alternatives choices, and the right to
choose.

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