Alternative Medicine Research Paper

BACKGROUND

Although much about it still remains unknown, alternative medicine is acknowledged as having some success in treating certain medical disorders. Innovative practices under the banner of alternative medicine include chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy, and naturopathy. Many in the medical profession refute the value of alternative medicine, whereas some professionals feel it has a place. Debate on the topic continues.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THESE CALL NUMBERS

615.5–615.53

615.851

133

610

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

Alternative medicine

Holistic medicine

Naturopathy

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

Burroughs, Hugh, and Mark Kastner. Alternative Healing: The Complete A–Z Guide to over 160 Different Alternative Therapies, 1993.

CQ Researcher, January 31, 1992.

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 1992.

General encyclopedias

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac

NewsBank and other newspaper indexes

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature

SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC

ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

America Online

CompuServe

Dialog Internet

Prodigy

KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

Alternative medicine

Holistic medicine

Naturopathy

Folk medicine

VIDEOTAPES ON THIS TOPIC

Healing and the Mind. Ambrose Video, 1993.

Powerful Medicine. Films, Inc., 1986.

FICTION BOOK RELATING TO TOPIC

Dickinson, Peter. Healer, 1987.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

American Holistic Medical Association, 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Ste. 201, Raleigh, NC 27607.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Alternative Medicine, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 1, No. 126, Bethesda, MD 20892.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Discuss the role of the mind in healing.

Highlight the history of alternative medicine.

Present the case for (or against) alternative medicine.

Choose a specific type of alternative medicine to research; e.g., acupuncture, aroma therapy, laugh therapy, herbal medicine.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

Eastern medicine

Faith healers

Folk medicine

Macrobiotics

Yoga

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.