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Diabetes Research in an American Indian Community
Author(s) -
Jacobson Sharol F.,
BootonHiser Deborah,
Moore John H.,
Edwards Karethy A.,
Pryor Sue,
Campbell Janis M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
image: the journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 0743-5150
DOI - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01273.x
Subject(s) - scope (computer science) , qualitative research , focus group , work (physics) , field research , health care , sociology , public relations , psychology , medicine , nursing , social science , political science , anthropology , engineering , mechanical engineering , computer science , law , programming language
Purpose: To describe field experiences of a nurse‐led team conducting collaborative research on diabetes with an American Indian community. Diabetes is of epidemic proportions among Indians. Methodological reports can assist nurse researchers to make important contributions to Indian health and diabetes care. Organizing Framework: Wax's, stages of fieldwork: Initiation, fieldwork, post‐field work. Scope and Method: Report of key research experiences from all phases of a study with an Indian community (1988–1996). Based on review of classic literature, field notes, and team meetings. Findings: Methodological literature on research with Indians and cultural tutelage by Indians were helpful but neither sufficient nor infallible. A long period of investigator presence in the community before beginning the research was extremely useful. The need for researchers to explain their presence and the contribution of research to the community was ongoing. Conclusions: Wax's conception of field work as a dialectic process was supported. A collaborative, community focus and willingness to spend much time acquiring cultural knowledge can facilitate successful research on Indian health.