title: Data collection: Treat every variable as a treasure.
abstract: Collection of data concerning case histories is not yet common in homeopathy despite its great importance for this method. Computer program development progresses slowly and discussion about requirements is scarce. Two Dutch projects assessed Materia Medica of some homeopathic medicines and six homeopathic symptoms. Especially the second project relied heavily on data collection. In both projects much effort was spent on consensus between participating doctors. There was much variance between doctors despite our consensus efforts. Assessing causality seems the most important source of bias, there is also much variance in assessing symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data collection software should be developed step-by-step, guided by close monitoring and feedback of participating practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Committee for Methods and Validation, Dutch Homeopathic Doctors Association, Aard 10, 4813NN Breda, The Netherlands. Electronic address: lexrtn@concepts.nl.
authors.forename: Lex
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rutten
mesh_terms: D032921:Consensus; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003658:Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012984:Software / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution*
chemical_list: D008419:Materia Medica
keywords: Causality; Confirmation bias; Data collection