FOCUSING ON PARTICIPANTS

This article presents a model developed and assessed by a women's health research team to enhance sensitivity and increase readability of a survey to be used with community-based women. The survey consisted of quantitative measures of AIDS-related attitudes and behaviors, developed and used with traditional-aged college populations, and included questions of a highly personal nature. In Study 1, 30 women with English reading levels of third grade and above from two targeted community populations completed a survey in two waves of focus groups and gave feedback about readability, length, format, content, emotional responses, truthfulness in responding, and opinions about the research. Problem areas and changes that made the survey more readable, understandable, emotionally sensitive, and effective are reviewed. In Study 2, pre- and postmodification versions of nine scales are compared in 430 traditional-aged college women (pre) and 793 community-based women (post), the latter broken into subsamples for more refined comparisons. Results of five psychometric analyses demonstrate that psychometric integrity does not have to be hurt by such changes. In addition, this process illustrates how researchers can gain a better understanding of participants and their reactions to the research process through qualitative research methods.     

The greening of Cuba? A case study in religion and permaculture in Santiago

ABSTRACT

Using the analysis of ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Santiago, this article explores the relationships between religion, ecology, and permaculture in contemporary Cuba. I focus on qualitative interviews with permaculture activists who are affiliated with the Eastern Baptist Convention. These activists are working with an ecumenical center in Santiago that promotes the creation of sustainable local communities through programs dedicated to social service. This article argues that these individuals have embraced a theocentric ecological ethic that combines social and environmental justice. The cultural value of solidaridad (social solidarity), which has long been part of Cuba’s revolutionary history, is shaping the development of this ecological ethic. The value of solidaridad has helped activists establish relational bonds of mutual aid support, particularly in the aftermath of Cuba’s post-Soviet economic crisis.