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The problem of sample frame in populations called deviant: The case of methadone‐maintained women and their infants
Author(s) -
Gurdin J. Barry,
Patterson Carrie B.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(198710)15:4<459::aid-jcop2290150404>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - methadone , frame (networking) , psychology , sample (material) , developmental psychology , methadone maintenance , clinical psychology , psychiatry , computer science , physics , telecommunications , thermodynamics
Both theoretical discussions and research presentations often minimize the practical difficulties in establishing a sample frame for a population called deviant. Classical experimental design is frequently recommended, even though this methodology is poorly suited for populations whose personal, situational, and material attributes are subject to rapid change. In addition, such an experimental design may require the researcher to gather characteristics that may prove impossible to collect in the “real world” population under study. This paper presents the experiences of a research project studying methadone‐maintained women and their infants to show that researchers of populations labeled “deviant” must retain a fluid sample frame to reflect optimally the population under study and to use most effectively the resources available.