This volume, with accompanying CD-ROM, is a compendium of information providing practical guidelines for individuals doing drug abuse research with Hispanic populations. Aimed at graduate students and researchers or service providers initiating programs with Hispanic communities, it also provides ample substance for seasoned researchers. The material is drawn from the field work of countless investigators who, in the course of conducting drug abuse research targeted at the Hispanic population, have designed studies, collaborated with communities, conducted outreach, recruited participants, developed and tested instruments, collected and analyzed data, followed up with clients and considered ways of returning something to the community after their research was completed. The CD-ROM provides not only the volume's electronic text, but also decision-tree scenarios of each major component activity to initiate and conduct research with Hispanic populations.
This handbook was written largely because many drug abuse researchers in the 1980s and 90s operated under the assumption that the methods and approaches useful with non-Hispanic subjects could also be utilized with Hispanics. That approach ignored such moderating variables as acculturation, language and core values. As a consequence, the benefits of research findings did not always accrue to Hispanics. This volume contributes significantly to filling this gap in drug abuse research.