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"WOMEN & CRACK-COCAINE" (J. INCIARDI, D. LOCKWOOD & A. POTTIEGER).
Term Paper ID:24973
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Essay Subject:
Evaluates author's qualitative ethnographic research methodology & techniques.... More...
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Paper Abstract:
Evaluates author's qualitative ethnographic research methodology & techniques.
Paper Introduction:
Introduction
In compiling data for their book, Women and Crack-Cocaine, Inciardi, Lockwood and Pottieger (1993) stated that data were collected based on a variety of qualitative ethnographic research techniques. In general, these techniques included: non-random sampling methods; the use of interview methods; case study techniques; and field observation methods.
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the qualitative research techniques used to collect and interpret data. It can be noted here that analyzing methods used in writing books about psychosocial phenomena are important because, in any study, confidence can be placed in findings only to the extent that the research can be supported as having internal validity. The presented analysis concludes with an overall
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The first consideration is related to the fact that qualitativemethods were really the only feasible way of gaining information from thissocial group. Women andcrack-cocaine. As heput it: ...the peculiar life style, illegal drug-taking, and drug- seeking activities, and mobility characteristics of active drug users preclude any examination of this group through standard survey methods. Indeed, with respect to the foregoing, Inciardi reports that thesetting was such that even basic survey methods could not be used. NY: Macmillan. (1995). As noted by Brown (1988), qualitative research,being non-experimental in nature, cannot justify interpretations ofcausality among investigated factors because it does not control for thecontribution made to the behavior by non-investigated variables. Inciardi, J.A., Lockwood, D. Analysis Regarding the internal validity associated with the qualitativemethods used by Inciardi et. Eshleman, J.R., Cashion, B.G. This statement cannot be justified. The qualitative methods used in compiling the data for this book canalso be associated with a second advantage. Based on these considerations, it seems reasonable to state that thequalitative research should be considered to be relatively valid andreliable. Sociology: Anintroduction (3rd ed.) Glenview, ILL: Scott, Foresman. Despite the disadvantages and limitations associated with the variousmethods used, it can be noted here that the authors did engage in certainprocedures that added strength to the ethnographic research they conducted. (p. On the other hand, to the researchers credit, wherever possible theyused systematic and structured interview techniques. However case studies also have their limitations. 148)Thus, the use of qualitative/ethnographic research methods by Inciardi,Lockwood and Pottieger (1993) served the purpose of obtaining someinformation in a situation where more controlled procedures were not at allfeasible. Kiess, H.O. It is often assumed in ethnographic research that any socialbehavior of interest (e.g., crack-cocaine use by women) is not independentof the setting in which it occurs (Eshleman, Cashion & Basirico, 1988).The ethnographic approach used by Inciardi et. The second consideration is that, despite limitations, thequalitative methods used also have some clear advantages (e.g., providing amore realistic picture of phenomena of interest, allowing for an assessmentof the setting as well as the behaviors of interest). Evaluation Based on the just provided analysis, the question can be asked as towhether the research methods used to compile data produced information thatcan be considered to be relatively valid and reliable. (3rd ed.) Boston: Allyn & Bacon. (1988). Other qualitative techniques used by the authors involved case studymethods. A third advantage of the use of qualitative methods concerns thesetting. (1993). Further, all of the researchers were experienced and well-trained in ethnographic research thereby reducing the likelihood ofsubjective bias. References Brown, F.G. Principles of educational and psychologicaltesting (4th ed.) NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. & Bloomquist, D.W. al (1993), it can be noted here that the useof these research techniques have certain advantages and disadvantages.Clearly, one of the primary advantages associated with the qualitativemethods used by the authors is that they offered strategies for obtaininginformation in a setting where the use of strict experimental methods(e.g., random assignment of subjects to groups, control of extraneousvariables, etc.) would have been impossible to apply. Regarding the preliminary nature of findings, it is hererecommended that there be at least some additional, more experimental,research conducted to establish whether the connections, interactions andso forth formulated about the investigated variables are, in fact, correct. The thirdconsideration is the fact that the authors took several steps to boost thevalidity and reliability of methods. Moreover, case studies are desirablemethods of research in that they have been established as highly usefulsocial science strategies for generating new insights into social phenomenaand/or new hypothetical models (Kiess & Bloomquist, 1995). It canbe noted here that analyzing methods used in writing books aboutpsychosocial phenomena are important because, in any study, confidence canbe placed in findings only to the extent that the research can be supportedas having internal validity. However, due to the limitations associated with such methods, itmust also be stated that findings should probably be considered preliminaryin nature. Second, the observations and other methodsrequired to investigate a given individual can generate feelings of beingintruded upon on the part of the person being studied and this, in turn,can lead to biased responses. The use of systematic, structured interviews---at least on some occasions---was earlier mentioned as one of these procedures However, the researchers also lived with the subjects for anextensive period of time and were relatively well integrated into thesocial group; according to Eshleman, Cashion and Basirico (1988), this cangreatly reduce the chance that subjects will give biased or untruthfulresponses. These, according to Pervin (198 ) include: the increasedprobability that responses will be influenced by the interviewer; anincreased probability of errors in data recording; and the lack of controlover fabricated responses and/or responses based on social desirability. Indeed, it is this limit on causal interpretationof observations that probably constitutes the biggest disadvantage of thequalitative methods used. Generating ananswer to this question involves three important considerations. Another disadvantage associated with Inciardi et al's (1993)qualitative methods involved the authors' heavy reliance on interviewtechniques. In this regard, the use of case study procedures affordedInciardi et. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of thequalitative research techniques used to collect and interpret data. In general, thesetechniques included: non-random sampling methods; the use of interviewmethods; case study techniques; and field observation methods. The advantages associated with the qualitative techniquesused by Inciardi et. Pervin, L. (198 ). The presented analysis concludes with anoverall evaluation of the general soundness of the research. al (1993) the ability to probe deeply into and more fullyanalyze the interactions between variables of interest as they affected thepresent status of an individual. In other words, themethods allowed the researchers to better understand the environment, andthe nature of the social structures in the environment including thoseassociated with traditions, values, and norms of behavior. al (1993) allowed for theresearchers not only to examine crack-cocaine behavior, it also allowed foran assessment of the setting and environment and its influences andcontribution to the behavior under investigation. While the interview method is a significant technique forgathering a wealth of information about people, it has some definitelimitations. One of the clear disadvantages associatedwith the use of these techniques is the limit they place on any causalinterpretations of factors. al (1993) do not mean that the research had nolimitations or disadvantages. Inciardi, Lockwood and Pottieger (1993) did not have a soundmethodological basis for discussing any of the variables they studied interms of causal connections. & Basirico, L.A. These are proceduresthat have been established as increasing both the reliability and validityof the information obtained from an interview (Pervin, 198 ). & Pottieger, A.E. (1988). Unfortunately, despite this fact, the authorsmade some causal statements. The use of fieldstudy/ethnographic techniques, especially when studying complex, multi-determined phenomena (such as crack-cocaine usage) afforded the researchersthe tools for investigative work conducted in a natural setting; thisallowed the researchers a more realistic observation to be made of thephenomena rather than the limited observation that is possible in theartificial and limited laboratory setting controlled experiments so oftenrequire. First, it isdifficult to justify the notion that the interpretation of any one casewill generalize to others. For example, in several passages, theyattributed their observances directly to the impact of crack-cocaine usagewhich they further stated had a unique impact on women. Introduction In compiling data for their book, Women and Crack-Cocaine, Inciardi,Lockwood and Pottieger (1993) stated that data were collected based on avariety of qualitative ethnographic research techniques. Personality: Theory, assessment and research (3rded.) NY: Wiley.----------------------- 7 Psychological researchmethods: A conceptual approach. In order to know whether cocaine usage had a unique impact on women,the authors' sample groups would have to be compared to several controlgroups (e.g., (1) a control group of women matched in terms of demographicand background factors who were taking drugs other than crack-cocaine; (2)men matched to women in terms of demographic and background factors whowere taking cocaine; and so forth) Without comparison to controls, theprecise impact of crack-cocaine on women and whether or not it is uniquecannot fully be known.
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