Identification of indigenous knowledge items and presenting the knowledge management model of indigenous medicine in Makran district

the field of indigenous medicine is one of the indigenous knowledge fields. The tendency of native people to use indigenous medicine for diagnosis and treatment of diseases, knowledge management of indigenous medicine in this district, have doubled the importance of paying attention to this topic. In this way, the present research intends to propose an appropriate model for knowledge management of indigenous knowledge, through identifying items of indigenous knowledge, Emphasizing on indigenous medicine, in Makran district.

the type of present research is applied and the Qualitative methods have been used in this study. The Statistical population of this research involved of experts and pundits that are familiar with indigenous knowledge in Makran district. The sample members were selected with purposeful sampling method. Semi-structured interview was used for Data Collection and the process of conducting interviews was continued with 12 persons of sample members to reach the theoretical saturation after interview. Thematic Analysis method is used for analysis, interpretation and coding of data.

Based on the analysis of qualitative data, 175 initial codes were obtained. 55 codes represent different fields of indigenous knowledge which were categorized in 5 sub-items of "handicrafts", "fishing", "animal husbandry", "agriculture" and "indigenous medicine" and 2 key items of "non-medical" and "medical knowledge". 78 codes represent the different fields of indigenous medicine knowledge which were categorized in 6 sub-items of "sphygmology", "face color", "urine and stool color", "drug therapy", "prayer therapy", "surgery and traditional  treatments " and 2 key items of "Traditional diagnosis" and "traditional medicine". Finally, 42 initial codes related to the items of the knowledge management model of indigenous medicine were categorized in 14 sub-items and 5 key items of "knowledge creation", "Knowledge acquisition”, "knowledge sharing and development", "knowledge transfer", "knowledge recording", which show the dimension of knowledge management model of indigenous medicine in Makran district.   

Due to the vast capacity of Makran district in the field of indigenous medicine knowledge, the present research provides a basis for the more efficient management of this knowledge through identifying different items of this knowledge and proposing a model for its management. In addition, this research can be the basis for further investigations in this field.