[Biographical research methods in psychosomatic medicine, psychology and psychiatry]

This review is centered around the current discussion regarding quantitative vs. qualitative research methodology in psychosomatic medicine, psychology, and psychiatry. In this context, the relevance of biographical methods is discussed. Furthermore, developmental aspects and the importance of biography and individual history in internal and psychosomatic medicine, psychiatry, psychology, and sociology are evaluated. Recent developments in biographical research methodologies such as biographical interviews and case control studies, longitudinal studies and biographical aspects of coping research, are presented as potentially valuable research tools.