Methods
The data we use in this paper come from the
Hartford, CT component of the larger study using
the first two of seven research methods from a 5-
year qualitative and quantitative study of communication
and negotiation about barrier contraceptive
use for STD and pregnancy prevention among
low income, inner city African American and Puerto
Rican self-identified heterosexual young adults (age
18–25) in Hartford and Philadelphia. The major
goal of this project is to understand strategies and
patterns of communication and negotiation surrounding
condom and other barrier contraceptive
use in these sexually active at-risk populations. The
study weaves together a variety of qualitative and
quantitative methods, including focus group discussions,
systematic cultural assessment techniques
(Bernard, 2001), in-depth individual sexual and
romantic life history interviews, sexual behavior
diaries, scenario drama discussions, and structured
interviews staged over 4 years of data collection
(2004–2008). The aim of this design is to collect a
variety of data that will be triangulated to yield a
detailed and contextualized understanding of sexual
and romantic relationships in light of social and
cultural factors, and to use these data to inform the
development of targeted risk-reduction strategies.
Participants for all methods are recruited through
street outreach at two kinds of venues: general
street settings and specialized activity sites. The first
of these includes places with heavy pedestrian
traffic in areas identified through prior research.
The latter refers to the local community college,