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Provides a comparison of the press coverage of the introduction of IVF in different contexts, giving a vantage point for examining the variability and the context‐dependence of the issue. Sheds some light on the cultural‐political‐social problems that the new technology entails. Contrasts the differences between Canada and Israel, showing that both countries endorse modern technology in the field of medidine: in both countries, IVF was imported about the same time and both used the US and Britain as a frame of reference and model rather than local developments. Shows the cultural differences of how each culture embraced the new technology.

Research fields that may imperil one's privacy and dignity present particular methodological challenges to researchers. Gaining a closer look into such fields therefore requires a subtle research design. The present study aims to look at the research of donor insemination (DI) in Israel in order to show the methodological variety required for the study of diverse aspects of this sensitive field of practice.

The authors applied a sequential mixed design whose flexibility allowed us to gain access to a relatively broad range of spheres of practice. They started with two qualitative strands, policy analysis and semi‐structured interviews with doctors, which conveyed the state's and professionals’ perspectives. However, when the authors wanted to study DI recipients, the medical staff ruled out any direct contact on grounds of patient confidentiality and singled out questionnaires as the only acceptable method. On the basis of the previously acquired knowledge, they devised a questionnaire which was delivered to DI recipients in five clinics in Israel. In the last strand of the project, they analyzed the donor registry in another DI clinic, which gave a glimpse into recipients’ (and staff's) preferences and choices regarding the donors themselves.

The diverse data that had been gathered could support a comprehensive argument about the political‐professional‐cultural shaping of DI as a last resort, somewhat dubious solution to male infertility. The study showed how, in this extremely sensitive field of life and practice, the pragmatic mixing of methods played a vital enabling role.

The paper takes a fresh look at a relatively unaccessible, under‐studied field of social policy and practice, and suggests a methodological approach to this sensitive field.

Cites collectivism as an element within Israeli culture from its inception. Explores the intricate mosaic of individualism/collectivism as expressed in a middle class Tel‐Aviv neighbourhood. Uses a three years of fieldwork and a neighbourhood survey to describe the residents as active individuals, aiming to advance their private interests and eager to interact with each other and participate in organized local activities. Shows how some modes of collectivist action were directed towards individual interests. Shows the collectivist tendency as still strong and influenced by the dominance of social parties in Israel.

Western countries have invested considerable resources in efforts aimed at reducing the amount of cigarette smoking in their countries, along with its accompanying hazards. Canada is no exception to this challenge and takes pride in its participation in the global quest:

During the last decades the socio‐political status of children in Western societies has become a focus of interest for researchers from various disciplines. As part of the more general trend of struggles for the human rights of specific sectors of society (e.g. African Americans, women, homosexuals) proponents established the “Children's Rights Movement” which has fought on behalf of the younger members of society, trying to secure them certain social rights and legal protection (e.g. Forer, 1973). Concern for children and their social status has been gradually institutionalised until gaining recognition also by major world organisations such as the United Nations which adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and established UNICEF, whose sole aim was to promote the welfare of children around the world. During the past decade extensive political as well as scholarly attention has been concentrated on problems of child abuse and neglect.