Study of the Father Research Methods: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF FATHERING RESEARCH OBSERVATIONAL METHODS UNSTRUCTURED OBSERVATION STRUCTURED OBSERVATION EVALUATION OF OBSERVATIONAL METHODS INTERVIEW METHODS UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS EVALUATION OF INTERVIEW METHODS PENCIL AND PAPER TOOLS MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS USED TO STUDY THE FATHER EVALUATION OF PAPER AND PENCIL METHODS OTHER DATA COLLECTION METHODS OTHER CONSIDERATIONS SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS NOTES

Abstract

Until the 1970s, research concerning fathering and the father's roles in the family was sparse. Parenting research emphasized the mother and her importance within the family. In recent years, the father's recognition as an integral and vital member of the child-rearing team has emerged, although the amount of research regarding the father and fathering remains small in comparison with the subject of mothers.