Qualitative Methods
Our research can be described as mixed methods. "I We began our investigations by using
qualitative methods typical of cultural anthropology. We observed and talked in depth with
individuals and groups of individuals engaged in the behavior that interested us: alcohol use.
We explored their reasons for using alcohol. We also talked extensively with individuals who do
not drink alcohol to find out their reasons for not drinking. We talked with individuals who are
knowledgeable about the group we are interested in (in this case, adolescents), such as teachers
and social workers. Based on conversations with individual young people, we develop discussion
guidelines and talked with groups of young people. Discussion in groups usually elicits new
information and allows members of the group to question one another on the information they
are providing. This group process often uncovers additional information not discovered in the
individual interviews. By the end of this process we had a large amount of narrative data that
described the meanings of the behavior (alcohol use and non-use) to adolescents.