What is it about?
This paper make suggestions for methods and strategies for studying residential recovery homes. Among a number of considerations, the author points out that random assignment is often not possible and can limit generalization of findings. The study describes a number of advantages of studying residents who self-select into residences.
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Why is it important?
The paper makes the important point that random assignment is not always the best method for studying longitudinal outcomes in recovery homes. Longitudinal single group designs that track outcomes over time and control for potentially confounding factors have the advantage of having stronger generalization of findings. Use of random assignment negates a "mutual selection" process that is argued to be an essential aspect of recovery in recovery homes.
Perspectives
Although randomized designs are presented as the gold standard for most types of research, I think there are some serious limitations for research on recovery homes. Other types of designs have strengths for this type of research that have not been sufficiently recognized.
Dr Douglas L Polcin
Public Health Institute
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: How should we study residential recovery homes?, Therapeutic Communities The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, September 2015, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/tc-07-2014-0027.
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