Abstract

For quite some time, qualitative researchers have reliably produced improved understandings of several important social phenomena that disproportionately affect difficult-to-access and/or hidden populations. Although youths broadly perhaps should not be considered “hidden,” scholars have faced numerous obstacles in their attempts to obtain youth samples. Further, researchers have paid considerable attention to adolescents’ greater involvement in a wide range of problem behaviors (e.g., gang membership, interpersonal violence, alcohol and substance abuse). As a result of their overrepresentation in crime (both as offenders and victims), youths’ viewpoints offer unique opportunities for broadening social inquiry.