Mental retardation research methods in Latino communities.

The importance of understanding specific methods and strategies for conducting mental retardation research in Latino communities is discussed. Research methods used in the recruitment and analysis of a sample of 72 Puerto Rican mothers of a son or daughter with mental retardation are described. The emphasis is on the importance of involving the community in many aspects of the study in order to (a) ensure that the community benefits, (b) strengthen the scientific integrity of the study, and (c) facilitate sample recruitment.