PARTICIPATORY ASPECTS IN THE QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN OF PHASE-II OF THE ETHNOCULTURAL COMMUNITIES FACING AIDS STUDY

This paper describes the seeps taken in generating and implementing a qualitative research design for Phase II of the Ethnocultural Communit ies Facing AIDS Study. Theoretically framed by the macro-level, socioc ultural model of health behaviour developed by Kleinman, the methodolo gical procedures are an adaptation of Scrimshaw's Rapid Assessment Pro cedures (RAP) and a participatory approach involving stakeholders from each ethnocultural community. Qualitative data-on behaviours conduciv e to HIV transmission in six ethnocultural communities in Canada-were elicited using a combination of key communicator interviews, focus gro ups, and participant observation techniques. Data were analyzed using systematic content analysis techniques. Inter-rater reliability checks and procedures of triangulation demonstrated the validity of evidence generated. A commitment to research partnership with community person s, and an accountability loop that provided assurances of how the data would be scientifically represented, were critical elements in the pr ocess of design construction.