Activities for Chapter 1

Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault in Native American Communities

1.

    A. While the article itself presents substantial amounts of data and evidence, the samples discussed are rather outdated (primarily taken between the years 1995-1996). Although the studies conducted spanned across many varied Native American communities, it is nearly impossible to analyze the Native American population in its entirety, let alone take into account the "cultural, geographic, and environmental diversity" of the Native American population. However, they address this problem later in the article, acknowledging that "Because the evaluations of the programs referenced in this article are either nonexistent or unavailable, we recommend that researchers evaluate current, existing programs. Future research and service efforts may also explore variables such as cultural differences and similarities in language, values, and traditions, across tribes..." (361). 

    B. Measurement similarly seems a bit vague, as the measurements and studies they give are outdated, but again, they acknowledge that studying sexual assault is difficult, as the means to receive information are usually "anecdotal and/or experiential" (362), limiting their statistics and how accurately they can display data and analytics. They mention how "the NVAWS (National Violence Against Women Survey), similar to many surveys, relies on a random digit-dial method from households with a telephone; yet on many reservations, as many as 60% of households do not have telephones", addressing that the data reflects likely only represents those women who live in urban areas. 

    C. I don't believe Wahab and Olson examined a narrowly defined problem, as they discuss the varied places they extracted their data from. They also address where and how this data may have flaws or inconsistencies. 

    D. I think all the flaws I found were addressed in sections A and B. 

    E. Yes, I do feel as though the research makes an important contribution, as the article not only confirms that Native American women comparatively face more IPV and sexual assault than other women, but also addresses the historical context of said violence, and what can be done to prevent it. However, they acknowledge that this would take years and years of dismantling structures that are the products of colonization and attempted genocide. 

2. 

    A. No. While the study discusses the demand and withdrawal behaviors in couples with a history of infidelity, they speak on it very generally. They present evidence and studies that could be conclusive, but they do not end up yielding any meaningful results. Aside from stating that results of demand and withdrawal behaviors within couples depend on the individuals and their situation (slightly deviating from previous studies that mentioned that women are more likely to develop demanding behaviors while men are more likely to develop withdrawal behaviors as a result of relationship dissatisfaction). While they mention the study is on couples in general, they only focus on heterosexual couples who are married or dating, going through the demographics of those surveyed (while they are fairly concrete statistics, they have no real correlation with the study). During the last section of the literature review

    B. The literature has no cohesive structure. The review is not divided up by headings and subheadings,  aside from the "Method" heading and the "Participants" subheading, making it rather challenging to determine where one section ends or begins. In addition to the review's lack of organization, its analysis is rather circumlocutory. It mentions statistics regarding infidelity rates, how bad communication between couples can lead to more infidelity, the demographics of those studied, the differences between individual behaviors depending on gender, and yet comes to no conclusion regarding the subject at hand. 

    C. I feel as though they have simply summarized the literature. The information and statistics are clearly delineated, and yet there is no conclusive reason as to why this review was presented other than to state "demanding and withdrawal behaviors within heterosexual couples exist". They simply state facts, and formulate no hypothesis, nothing of real benefit other than statements. Within their "Participants" section, in particular, they extensively go through demographics regarding age, race, education, even income, and yet this information is essentially irrelevant to the study at hand. This information does not provide anything substantial other than informing the reader of the participants of the study. 

    D. I do not believe the reviewers make an important contribution to knowledge. While a study does not necessarily need to be entirely conclusive in order to be useful, this review seems to provide nothing of real substance other than to inform readers that demanding and withdrawal behaviors are often present within relationships where an individual has had an affair.