O’Connell Davidson and Layder provide a comprehensive overview of bothquantitative and qualitative social science research methods. They cover all themajor research tools such as the use of official records, surveys, interviews,ethnography, observations in a structured setting and documentary and textualsources.

All is explained lucidly and concisely. They deal particularly clearly with thesources of bias and subjectivity, as well as with the broader philosophical debateabout links between everyday life and knowledge, and the role of power andpolitics in the research community, particularly in shaping the research agenda.One is left with a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of differ-ent approaches in different circumstances.

Throughout the book, the issues under discussion are illustrated with enter-taining and intriguing material on research into sex and madness. This includesa refreshing and critical look at the work of the likes of Freud, Kinsey, Milgram,Rosenhan, Durkheim and Goffman, as well as research into medieval writingson witchcraft. These examples are not only good at clarifying the methodologi-cal pitfalls under discussion but provide an interesting overview of the develop-ment of thought and research into sexuality and, to a lesser extent, madness.

The book is written in an entertaining style which makes it very readablewithout detracting from its informativeness. Its other strength is that, whilsthighlighting the many difficulties and sources of bias in research, it does notleave one feeling demoralised and nihilistic. Rather it suggests a constructiveway forward with a greater awareness and understanding of the scope of what isbeing done.

As you have probably already gathered I would thoroughly recommend thisbook to anyone interested in conducting, teaching or critically appraisingresearch in the social sciences and in psychiatry, given the large overlap inmethods of these two disciplines, or anyone who simply wants an entertainingread about the history of research into sexuality.

Sophie DavisonInstitute of PsychiatryLondon, UK

MANAGEMENT OF VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION IN HEALTH

CARE

Edited by Brian Kidd and Cameron Stark. Gaskell/Royal College ofPsychiatrists, London SW1X 8PG. July 1994, 200 pp. Paperback, £12.50,ISBN 0-9022541-84-2.

The editors of this book claim in their introduction that this is the first vol-ume to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to dealing with violence. The aims

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of the book are clearly outlined, and include the provision of general informa-tion on this topic in an accessible way and also, it is hoped, exposure to help-ful material provided by specialists outside the reader’s own discipline. Theauthors wanted it to be an easily read, practical volume which does not aim orclaim to be inclusive. It is designed to deal with aspects of violence whichmust be understood by workers to reduce the risk of violence.

The format of the book is a series of eight chapters presented in a logicalprogression. General psychological approaches are followed by coverage ofinterviewing and medical management skills relating to violence, the role of‘the organisation’ in such matters, post-incident care and, finally, ethical andlegal aspects of caring for the assaultive client. The authorship of the chaptersremains true to the editors’ aims, by including medical, nursing, social work,psychological and control and restrain instructor contributions.

The most useful practical information in the book is contained in the prag-matic chapter ‘Interviewing the aggressive client’, the excellent ‘De-escalatingaggressive behaviour’ (which focuses on skills relating to specific phases ofemotional arousal the interviewer judged the client to be presenting with) andthe informative and easily readable ‘Post-incident support’. The ‘Role of theorganisation’ outlines an approach that most people will be unfamiliar with.

My main reservations concerned some of the content. The section onpharmacological intervention discussed matters in only general terms with theauthors’ specific preferences not being clearly stated, and with some importantpractical points absent that might usefully have been included. It might havebeen helpful to include an algorithm outlining suggested good practice.Second, I remain unconvinced about the expediency of including ‘break-away’ techniques in the text, bearing in mind the authors’ insistence on theabsolute need to attend a proper training course, and the potential harm thatcan be caused by the moves themselves. Third, some chapters use the word‘psychopath’ which, at least in psychiatric circles, remains a controversiallabel, and is at worst pejorative.

The presentation of the book is one of its strengths. There are helpful ref-erence lists after each chapter, and summary points also at the end of eachchapter to highlight the main messages. A feature of the book is the manycase examples embedded in most chapters, which help bring the text alive. Iwas disappointed that the otherwise excellent chapter on de-escalating aggres-sive behaviour did not make more extensive use of these. There were, for amulti-author book, refreshingly few instances of repetition of content, whichwas easily within acceptable limits; non-verbal communication, for example,did have some overlap.

Overall, the editors should be satisfied with the achievement of their aims.The multidisciplinary approach works but makes it less likely an individualwill purchase the book for cover-to-cover interest. I would recommend itsavailability at regular points of contact between public service workers andpotentially violent clients, e.g. emergency clinics, psychiatric team bases, day

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hospitals, where access would be multidisciplinary. The third and fourth chap-ters on interviewing the aggressive client and de-escalating aggressive behav-iour would make sensible required reading for people who find themselveswith such responsibilities, especially trainee psychiatrists.

Ceri EvansBethlem Royal HospitalLondon, UK

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