https://doi.org/10.1177/0739986316687045
Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences
2017, Vol. 39(2) 150–168
© The Author(s) 2017
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DOI: 10.1177/0739986316687045
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Article
Critical Methods in
Longitudinal Research
With Latino Immigrant
Families
Yethzèll Díaz
1
, Jill Denner
2
, and Eloy Ortiz
2
Abstract
We have an ethical and a scientific imperative to do research that reflects
the views and learning experiences of historically marginalized groups. Most
studies that use a critical methodological approach rely on qualitative data.
This article describes how a critical approach to recruitment, data collection,
and retention can help to ensure that quantitative research accurately reflects
the experiences of Latino immigrant families. The authors draw on relevant
literature and their recent longitudinal study with 300 Latina mothers and their
children from a rural community that focused on parent-child relationships
and the development of math interest and achievement. The article includes
recommendations to researchers about effective strategies for the meaningful
engagement of Latino immigrant families in survey research studies. The
strategies are situated within the context of existing discourses of recruitment
and retention, as well as the theoretical and cultural considerations that are
necessary for culturally competent quantitative research.
Keywords
critical methods, longitudinal studies, Latino/a children and families,
quantitative research
1
Digital NEST, Watsonville, CA, USA
2
Education, Training and Research, Scotts Valley, CA, USA
Corresponding Author:
Jill Denner, Education, Training and Research, 100 Enterprise Way, Suite G300, Scotts Valley,
CA 95066, USA.
Email: jilld@etr.org
687045HJB XX X 10.1177/0739986316687045Hispanic Journal of Behavioral SciencesDíaz et al.
research-article 2017