Metatheory and Interviewing: Harm Reduction and Motorcycle Safety in Practice

Metatheory and Interviewing: Harm Reduction and Motorcycle Safety in Practice describes and applies a unique approach for advancing harm reduction theory. Emily J. Haas and Marifran Mattson argue that using harm reduction as a metatheory to guide qualitative interviews strengthens the use and acceptance of harm reduction and the application of constructs within health theories. Through analysis of in-depth interviews with respective participants—at-risk motorcyclists—which are informed by harm reduction metatheory, the authors examine how this unique approach to interviewing can be used to link metatheory, theory, methodology, and ultimately application and translation of research results. Metatheory and Interviewing culminates with a discussion of how the way we conduct and analyze interviews facilitates a deeper, more intimate conversation with research participants by encouraging them to incorporate the same, overarching harm reduction framework to provide feedback about changing specific health behaviors. Scholars of health communication and research will understand the critical role of a humanistic attitude and pragmatic communication with participants, as well as the importance of further extrapolating these strategies to their broader target audience.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: The Origins and Iterations of Harm Reduction Theory Chapter 2: Setting the Stage for Harm Reduction Metatheory Chapter 3: Improving the Theoretical Utility of Harm Reduction: A Motorcycle Safety Exemplar Chapter 4: A Qualitative Approach to Applying Harm Reduction Metatheory Chapter 5: Qualitative Analysis Informed by Harm Reduction Metatheory: Implications for Motorcycle Safety Chapter 6: Validity and Reflexivity in Harm Reduction Qualitative Research Chapter 7: Harm Reduction Championing Research Ethics Summary: Future Directions for Harm Reduction Metatheory

About the Author :
Emily J. Haas is behavioral research scientist at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research. Marifran Mattson is professor and head of the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University and advisor to the Motorcycle Safety at Purdue campaign.

Review :
Focusing on Harm Reduction Theory as a metatheoretical framework for encouraging motorcycle safety, Haas and Mattson provide a unique and important contribution to health communication scholarship and practice. They present a useful distinction between risk and harm issues and thoroughly overview several possible theories in terms of application to motorcycle safety. The book is detailed and comprehensive, offering useful and significant suggestions that have relevance well beyond motorcycle safety itself. Scholars and practitioners will find that this book propounds a perspective that has the potential to revolutionize numerous aspects of health communication work, including an understanding of metatheory. Metatheory and Interviewing makes a valuable contribution to debates about risk and health in motorcycling. Extending harm reduction and communication theory to rider behavior, Haas and Mattson outline an innovative approach for shaping perceptions of risk and enhancing motorcycle safety. They offer a promising model for research and practice applicable to health and safety issues both on and off the road. Haas and Matson’s innovative application of harm reduction theory to the issue of motorcycle safety offers an intriguing case study of how health campaigns can spark positive behavior change. The authors expertly wield qualitative research methods to produce cutting-edge campaign design and pragmatic outcomes assessment. A blend of theory and praxis, this book is a must for scholars, students, and practitioners of strategic communication, health message design, and campaign assessment.