Researching Sensitive Topics
1st Edition
Published on 15. January 1993
Book
Paperback/Softback
312 pages
978-0-8039-4845-7 (ISBN)
Description
Social scientists are increasingly called upon to carry out research on topics that are `sensitive' in the sense that they deal with behaviour that is intimate, discreditable or incriminating. Such topics not only pose difficult technical problems, but also raise questions regarding the ethics and politics of research.
Aiming to acquaint researchers with the tools and experiences of colleagues in various fields on methods of researching these topics, distinguished researchers from across the social sciences explore such issues as cross-cultural research, disclosure and the dissemination of research findings, feminist methodologies and self-censorship.
Aiming to acquaint researchers with the tools and experiences of colleagues in various fields on methods of researching these topics, distinguished researchers from across the social sciences explore such issues as cross-cultural research, disclosure and the dissemination of research findings, feminist methodologies and self-censorship.
More details
Series
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Weight
418 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8039-4845-7 (9780803948457)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Claire M. Renzetti, PhD, is the Judi Conway Patton Endowed Chair in the Center for Research on Violence Against Women, and Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department at the University of Kentucky. She is editor of the international, interdisciplinary journal, Violence Against Women; co-editor with Jeffrey Edleson of the Interpersonal Violence book series for Oxford University Press; and editor of the Gender and Justice book series for University of California Press. She has authored or edited 25 books as well as numerous book chapters and articles in professional journals. Much of her research has focused on the violent victimization experiences of socially and economically marginalized women. Her current research includes studies examining the relationship between religiosity and intimate partner violence perpetration, an evaluation of a horticultural therapy program at a shelter for battered women, and a study of potential jurors' prototypes of sex trafficking victims and perpetrators. She has held elected and appointed leadership positions in national and regional professional organizations, and has been honored with awards for her work to improve the quality of life and the health and safety of women.
Content
PART ONE: WHAT IS SENSITIVE RESEARCH?
The Problems of Researching Sensitive Topics - Raymond M Lee and Claire M Renzetti
An Overview and Introduction
The Ethics and Politics of Sensitive Research - Joan E Sieber
PART TWO: DESIGNING RESEARCH ON SENSITIVE TOPICS
The Cyclical Pattern of Child Abuse - Sharon D Herzberger
A Study of Research Methodology
Measuring the Underground Economy - J J Thomas
A Suitable Case for Interdisciplinary Treatment?
Doing Research in Post-Tiananmen China - Daniel J Curran and Sandra Cook
Developing a Community Sample of Gay Men for an Epidemiological Study of AIDS - John L Martin and Laura Dean
PART THREE: SENSITIVITY IN FIELD RESEARCH
`They Must Be Crazy' - Marybeth Ayella
Some of the Difficulties in Researching `Cults'
Sensitivity as a Problem in Field Research - John D Brewer
A Study of Routine Policing in Northern Ireland
Mediating the Message - Nigel G Fielding
Affinity and Hostility in Research on Sensitive Topics
AIDS Prevention Research - Benjamin P Bowser and Joan E Sieber
Old Problems and New Solutions
PART FOUR: THE USE OF FEMINIST METHODOLOGIES IN RESEARCHING SENSITIVE TOPICS
An Education in Interviewing - Rosalind Edwards
Placing the Researcher and the Research
Interviewing Survivors of Marital Rape - Raquel Kennedy Bergen
Doing Feminist Research on Sensitive Topics
Using Visual Imagery to Explore Gendered Notions of Pain - Gillian Bendelow
PART FIVE: DISSEMINATING SENSITIVE RESEARCH FINDINGS: STRUCTURAL AND PERSONAL CONSTRAINTS
Studying African Women's Secret Societies - Pamela J Brink
Ethical Issues in Self-Censorship - Patricia A Adler and Peter Adler
Ethnographic Research on Sensitive Topics
Anticipating Media Coverage - Noreen L Channels
Methodological Decisions in Criminal Justice Research
The Problems of Researching Sensitive Topics - Raymond M Lee and Claire M Renzetti
An Overview and Introduction
The Ethics and Politics of Sensitive Research - Joan E Sieber
PART TWO: DESIGNING RESEARCH ON SENSITIVE TOPICS
The Cyclical Pattern of Child Abuse - Sharon D Herzberger
A Study of Research Methodology
Measuring the Underground Economy - J J Thomas
A Suitable Case for Interdisciplinary Treatment?
Doing Research in Post-Tiananmen China - Daniel J Curran and Sandra Cook
Developing a Community Sample of Gay Men for an Epidemiological Study of AIDS - John L Martin and Laura Dean
PART THREE: SENSITIVITY IN FIELD RESEARCH
`They Must Be Crazy' - Marybeth Ayella
Some of the Difficulties in Researching `Cults'
Sensitivity as a Problem in Field Research - John D Brewer
A Study of Routine Policing in Northern Ireland
Mediating the Message - Nigel G Fielding
Affinity and Hostility in Research on Sensitive Topics
AIDS Prevention Research - Benjamin P Bowser and Joan E Sieber
Old Problems and New Solutions
PART FOUR: THE USE OF FEMINIST METHODOLOGIES IN RESEARCHING SENSITIVE TOPICS
An Education in Interviewing - Rosalind Edwards
Placing the Researcher and the Research
Interviewing Survivors of Marital Rape - Raquel Kennedy Bergen
Doing Feminist Research on Sensitive Topics
Using Visual Imagery to Explore Gendered Notions of Pain - Gillian Bendelow
PART FIVE: DISSEMINATING SENSITIVE RESEARCH FINDINGS: STRUCTURAL AND PERSONAL CONSTRAINTS
Studying African Women's Secret Societies - Pamela J Brink
Ethical Issues in Self-Censorship - Patricia A Adler and Peter Adler
Ethnographic Research on Sensitive Topics
Anticipating Media Coverage - Noreen L Channels
Methodological Decisions in Criminal Justice Research