title: Methodological factors conducting research with incarcerated persons with diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe methodological issues specific to conducting research with incarcerated vulnerable populations who have diabetes.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Much has been written about the ethical and logistical challenges of conducting research with vulnerable incarcerated populations. However, conducting research with incarcerated persons with diabetes is associated with additional issues related to research design, measurement, sampling and recruitment, and data collection procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study examining the relationships of diabetes knowledge, illness representation and self-care behaviors with glycemic control in 124 incarcerated persons was conducted and serves as the basis for describing methodological factors for the conduct of research with an incarcerated population with diabetes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within this incarcerated population with diabetes, sampling bias due to gender inequity, recruitment of participants not using insulin, self-reported vision impairment, and a lack of standardized instruments especially for measuring diabetes self-care were methodological challenges. Clinical factors that serve as potential barriers for study conduct were identified as risk for hypoglycemia due to insulin timing and other activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conducting research with incarcerated persons diagnosed with diabetes requires attention to a set of methodological concerns above and beyond that of the ethical and legal regulations for protecting the rights of this vulnerable population. To increase opportunities for conducting rigorous as well as facility- and patient-friendly research, researchers need to blend their knowledge of diabetes with an understanding of prison rules and routines.
authors: University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, CT, United States; New York University, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: Louise.reagan@nyu.edu.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Reagan
authors: University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, CT, United States.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Shelton
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003142:Communication; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D006801:Humans; D011329:Prisoners; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose
keywords: Diabetes; Inmates; Methodologic; Research challenges; Self-management