Qualitative and Quantitative Research among Hmong Refugees
An Analysis
Joseph Westermeyer
This self-analysis of my work from the last three decades has the following goal: to assess the interplay between qualitative and quantitative methods used to study the Hmong people, their culture, and certain aspects of social adjustment and psychopathology. Initial work with the Hmong began in Laos during 1965 to 1975 (Westermeyer, 1971), and continued with Hmong refugees in United States from 1976 to the current time. Several mentors shaped this particular approach to melding qualitative and quantitative research. The first of these influences, throughout the 1960s, was my anthropology advisor, Perti Pelto, who emphasized two points:
1. Inundate yourself in the culture, observing and participating in the people's way of life. Avoid projecting your own preconceptions onto them. This should lead to areas of special interest.
2. Construct a means for further investigating those aspects of their culture that interest you. Consider using a variety of methods and samples, including quantitative measures.
