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METHODS FOR STUDYING SENSITIVE FAMILY TOPICS

NCJ Number
54897
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 48 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 408-424
Author(s)
R J GELLES
Date Published
1978
Length
17 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CARRYING OUT RESEARCH ON SENSITIVE TOPICS IN THE FAMILY (E.G., WIFE AND CHILD ABUSE, FAMILY VIOLENCE, SEXUAL BEHAVIOR) ARE IDENTIFIED, ALONG WITH POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
Abstract
RESEARCHERS ON SENSITIVE TOPICS IN FAMILY RELATIONS FACE A NUMBER OF OBSTACLES, DUE TO THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF FAMILY LIFE AND RELATED ETHICAL CONSTRAINTS. THE FAMILY IS ESSENTIALLY A PRIVATE INSTITUTION, AND, UNLIKE OTHER SOCIAL GROUPS, FAMILY STRUCTURE ARISES OUT OF INTIMATE INTERACTIONS. BOTH FACTORS MAY MITIGATE AGAINST PIERCING, INDEPTH STUDY. THE NATURE OF INTRAFAMILY PROBLEMS MAY ALSO WORK AGAINST THE RESEARCHER; TOPICS SUCH AS SPOUSE ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, AND INCEST ARE PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE. HOWEVER, THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ABUNDANCE OF INFORMATION AND DATA AVAILABLE ON THESE TOPICS ONCE THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY CAN OVERCOME THE MAJOR OBSTACLES FACING SENSITIVE TOPIC STUDIES, SUCH AS DIFFICULTIES IN LOCATING SUBJECTS, ENGAGING THEIR COOPERATION, AND OBTAINING VALID AND RELIABLE DATA. SEVERAL APPROACHES TO THESE HURDLES MAY OR MAY NOT PROVE EFFECTIVE. GROUP SAMPLING, SNOWBALL SAMPLING, NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMANTS, AND FAMILY CONFIDANTS MAY BE VALUABLE IN IDENTIFYING SUBJECTS, AS MAY SELECTED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RECORDS, SUCH AS POLICE RECORDS, POLICE CALLS, NEWSPAPERS, PRIVATE AGENCY CASE FILES, AND ADVERTISEMENTS. HOWEVER, WHILE INTERVIEWS, CONFLICT RESOLUTION TECHNIQUES, RANDOM RESPONSE TECHNIQUES, COLLABORATIVE AND COJOINT INTERVIEWS, DIRECT AND PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS, PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUES, AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS MAY YIELD RELIABLE DATA, ADDITIONAL CONSTRAINTS OFTEN PREVAIL, INCLUDING ETHICAL CONCERNS RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS, 'HIRED HAND' RESEARCH (I.E., ENLISTING THE AID OF OUTSIDE PERSONNEL), AND CONFIDENTIALITY ISSUES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)