Collection Development and CAM: Prioritizing Intellectual Freedom or Quality Information?

Abstract

The objective of this research was to explore the collection development opinions and actions of health sciences librarians when considering controversial health information resources, particularly regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) resources that may not be evidence-based. The current research on the ethics of intellectual freedom is particularly focused on moral or subjective issues. This research focuses on something more objective: how librarians, as information professionals, can or should approach misinformation. As health sciences librarians collaborating with and supporting academic and practicing health professionals, what materials are collected regarding CAM? How do health sciences librarians prioritize intellectual freedom and high-quality information when doing collection development regarding CAM?