In this article, the authors describe a recruitment strategy used to enroll female Bangladeshi immigrants into a study of spousal abuse, crucial in the process of identifying abuse in this community. The researchers used a qualitative method involving a three-staged process designed for sampling and recruiting for focus groups and in-depth interviews. The Bangladeshi women declined participation in either of these qualitative genres, but the modified and adapted strategies proved effective in recruiting participants from the tightly knit immigrant community. Key to the success of the effort was the involvement of a Bangladeshi investigator, unspecified time to establish rapport with key informants and representatives of the larger community, and maintaining contact with the target population after completion of the project. © 2004 Sage Publications.

Qualitative research methods Spousal abuse Bangladeshi women Recruitment strategies

cultural value information processing abuse sampling Follow-Up Studies interpersonal communication follow up human medical research controlled study priority journal ethnology Spouse Abuse qualitative research interview United States Humans male female qualitative analysis cultural factor Article partner violence adult migration Interviews patient selection Emigration and Immigration Bangladesh Cultural Characteristics community assessment Focus Groups Texas