title: Survey methods and aging research in an Arab sociocultural context--a case study from Beirut, Lebanon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Arab countries, the proportion of older adults is rapidly increasing, highlighting the need to conduct research on factors that influence aging. We describe the context-specific challenges faced and the solutions negotiated during the conduct of a survey study on family relations and aging in Greater Beirut, Lebanon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Drawing on the experience of a recently completed survey study, we reflect on the context-specific challenges faced and the solutions negotiated during the phases of questionnaire construction, interviewer training, sampling, and participant recruitment as a means to contribute to the growing area of cross-cultural survey research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The social context of family relations influenced the nature of questions that can be included to obtain valid information. The unavailability of demographic data and the presence of cultural norms that promote deference to older adults also presented methodological challenges to the sampling and recruitment of older adults.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We provided illustrative examples on the importance of learning about a country's social and cultural contexts, and the necessity of exercising flexibility in decision making to ensure the collection of valid data and the successful completion of the study. Lessons learned inform elements of the research process in an Arab country, as well as bring to light unusual, yet generalizable, circumstances that will inform experiences in other cultural settings.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. sawsan.abdulrahim@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sawsan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdulrahim
authors.forename: Kristine J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ajrouch
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jammal
authors.forename: Toni C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Antonucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D036262:Empirical Research; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors