Two possible models here:
Sampling and Proximal Similarity
I leave this topic to tomorrow, or later….
Archive for February, 2007
How do we generalise?
February 27th, 2007Hard-to-reach Population
February 25th, 2007
I am not going to talk about “hard-to-reach” population in this post. I am interested in these studies on these hard-to-reach populations or hidden populations.
http://www.laria.gov.uk/content/features/68/feat1.htm
(This URL links to a seminar held by LARIA on 15th. Nov, 2001. I never heard of it before and have no idea which category it should go in, therefore I record it here. This groupd charge about 30 pounds for each its publication. For me, these are hard-to-reach documents. )
It’s said from the seminar that “Most research with hard to reach groups has to be qualitative, as these groups do not usually figure strongly in quantitative surveys.” That’s true.
What’re requirements for a good quantitative research?
- A population with known mean and variation; or
- A population with unknown mean and variation but a representative and large enough sample can be obtained.
Instead of defining “hard-to-reach” population, identifying characteristics of the target population is more important. One of key characteristics of a hidden population is “No sampling frame existed, and thus the size of the membership and group boundary is unknown.” The other two are acknowledgment of belonging to the group is threatening, because membership involves being the object of hate or scorn and sometimes fear of prosecution; and members are distrustful of nonmembers, do whatever they can to avoid revealing their identities, and are likely to refuse to cooperate with outsiders or to give unreliable answers to questions about themselves and their networks (Heckathorn 1997; Benoit et al. 2005).
Is it the destiny? All qualitative studies targeted on hidden populations are limited in terms of making generalizations about the entire population since a random sample of research participants is too hard to achieve. There is no a “work-in-all” strategy or method. It’s the same in quantitative research but not so exclusive.
(When MRC said “a study should be generable”. How do they evaluate generalization? To which extension? In which way? I so should think about this. )
BBC Radio—Dr. Teela Sander
February 19th, 2007BBC Radio 4—Moving on from sex work
I really like her.
MOVING ON FROM SEX WORK
The latest research conducted by Dr Teela Sanders
into sex workers investigates the circumstances under which they leave the sex industry. This can be a response to external events or a planned transition into another career.
Dr Sanders uses this research to argue that it is the role of sex workers that is deviant rather than their careers and to suggest ways in which policy could be framed to be more supportive of these women and their decisions.
THE CHALLENGE OF AFFLUENCE
The market promises us more choices, but is that guaranteed to increase our sense of wellbeing? And how confident can we be of making the decisions which are in our best interests.
Sex work, or prostitution, is the provision of sexual services for money or its equivalent (Harcourt and Donovan 2005). Currently most sex work has a strong economic basis, primarily as a source of income for sex workers, but also for dependent kin and associates including pimps, managers, and ancillary workers
It can be considered as an economic activity. An employment or labour perspective is a necessary, if not sufficient. On this point of view, sexual labour is a primary source of profit and wealth and is a ‘constituent part of national economics and transnational industries with the global capitalize economy’ (K. Kempadoo and J. Doezema 1998).
Books not stored in our libraries
February 13th, 2007Global Sex Workers: RIghts, Resistance, and Redefinition
By Kamala Kempadoo (Editor), Jo Doezema (Editor)
Reviewed by Maggie O’Nell @Gender, Work and Organization, Vol8, No1, January 2001
By Teela Sander
reviewed by Jane Scoular @Sexualities 2006; 9; 499
I want to read them free……..
