Here's my abstract for assignment 1. Thanks for taking a look! Any and all help is appreciated :D
Such an important issue to address -- thank you for taking it on. I thought your approach will answer your research question. I liked how you are going to use different methods (one-on-one interviews, direct observation, and documents) to help triangulate your findings. Your #1 challenge is a doozey (sp?), but I think your alternative plan is a good one -- definitely look outside of SF, if necessary, so you have more than 1 or 2 sites to look at. If not, I wonder if you could do a real in-depth look at the clinics you do have access to and get something substantial out of it (even if it is 1 or 2 sites.) Regarding your subject choice, I agree with trying to get access to interviewing girls that are at the detention center because I suspect it may be harder to get ahold of them once they're out of the system. Also, it won't be as fresh on their mind, etc. but if that is all you have access to, then, a list of recently discharged girls would have to work for now. Looking forward to seeing your project progress over the course of the semester! :) Vicky
Thanks for sharing your work. This is such an important topic.
I liked your description of your plan to familiarize yourself with the setting through observation first, then begin the process of conducting in-depth interviews. Your questions all sound interesting. I would challenge you to be more specific about "general reproductive health values" (as I'm sure you will be) -- this concept sounds abstract, especially for teenagers. I think individual interviews definitely seem like the way to go, given the sensitivity of the topic and the possibility, as someone in class brought up, of the topic of sexual violence coming up.
In terms of IRB challenges, I would definitely describe your informed consent process in detail, and would be careful about the idea of offering "tokens of appreciation"-- though it would help for recruiting, that seems the most likely to target IRB concern about coercion. I would also make clear a plan for how to help participants if needs arise during the interview, like crisis counseling. And even if you don't address it in your CHR protocol, I would think about how you want to deal with the balance between providing education and/or medical advice and conducting your interviews, as you will certainly encounter questions and misunderstanding that will be tempting to talk about.
In terms of access, the key seems to be finding someone to be your champion on the inside, as I'm sure you are trying to do! Do any UCSF pediatricians have connections to JD doctors? I took an elective during residency with an HIV doc who works in the jails and has an interest in education, I wonder if there is a similar person who is a UCSF contact in the juvenile system? I agree though that if SF doesn't work out, looking outside the city is a good idea. And I wonder if there are any clinics that high-risk teens frequent where you could get a similar population (without specifically targeting incarcerated girls) and then have optional questions if the participant has been in jail? Would need more subjects, but might be more effiicient.
Good luck!
Laura
Hi Angeline and great work! love the use of wording in your qualitative question, "experiences with and preferences". I love that you have used an approach that includes observing and then interviewing - you will have very rich data. Re: access, getting someone who works at the site who you can partner with if it might help their program would really help - if you would feel comfortable sharing data with them (kind of community participatory research). I think working with someone at the IRB is a great approach, and just emphasize the lack of harm involved here =)