title: Value of qualitative research in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This 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).
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant articles were published in English as of May 2013 from Pubmed. Terms "polycystic ovary syndrome/PCOS, qualitative research and methodology" were used for searching.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles studying PCOS with qualitative methods were reviewed. Articles associated with the use of qualitative research in clinical research were cited.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantitative research has been the dominant approach in the field so far, qualitative research is relevant to the advancement of PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China.
authors.forename: Hongxia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Key Discipline and Clinical Base, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, China.
authors.forename: Huiling
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Key Discipline and Clinical Base, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, China.
authors.forename: Jingshu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Key Discipline and Clinical Base, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, China.
authors.forename: Hongli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Jianping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Hungyu Ernest
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Unit, Primary Health Care, Västra Götalandsregionen, Borås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Billhult
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elisabet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stener-Victorin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Key Discipline and Clinical Base, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Xiaoke
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*