Chapter 2

Summary:
This chapter details the importance of theories and research in general. It also deals with the varying perspectives on, and different ways of analyzing, the family. Benokraitis highlights eight of the most well-known theoretical approaches associated with the study of the family. The author examines theories such as the Ecological, Structural Functionalism, and Social Exchange perspectives, among others; she lists their respective level(s) of analysis, view of the family, and which familial question(s) they seek to answer. Equally important in this chapter is the discussion of various ways of conducting research. The second half of the chapter describes, then lists the relative strengths and weaknesses of, such methods as field and clinical research, surveys, and experiments. This section's ending pages touch on ethics as related to family research.

Info of interest:
I found the end part of chapter 2 pretty interesting. It mentions the role of ethics in research, and goes on to say that medical scientists are more likely than their social scientist counterparts to practice unethical behaviors. Apparently, this difference in ethical action can be attributed--at least in part-- to third parties [read: (unsavory?) corporations] who support research(ers) that will promote the party's cause. It seems that these companies are often concerned with medical issues (e.g. pharmaceuticals) over more social ones (e.g. poverty), since there is more money to be made in that industry. I think it's unfortunate that while medical scientists should have the public's best interest in mind, the "bottom line" seems to take top priority.

Question:
I wonder what the other theories are that were not covered in this chapter (will the be addressed in later chapters?), and why they are not as well-known. Is it that they are not as valid as the 12 main theories? Perhaps they are obsolete, or have been disproved? Or is it something else entirely?