The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Synopsis Series: Behavioral Research

This SYNOPSIS booklet discusses the importance of Behavioral Research (BR) through a holographic approach. Holography is a special photographic technique that produces images of three dimensional objects. This photographic record is called a hologram, and one of its main applications is that any fragment of the hologram can regenerate the entire image, even if the fragment is extremely small. In other words, if a negative from an ordinary picture is cut into two, the print from each half would only show half of the picture. Conversely, if a holographic negative is cut in two, the print from each half would show the entire picture. If these halves are cut again, the print from any one of the pieces will reconstruct the whole picture.

Utilizing the holographic model, this booklet was written such that any one of the sections (holograms) will provide the reader with an understanding of the whole subject matter. First,we describe the entire strategy or topic of discussion in one sentence, the widespread definition and/or our own definition of the subject (Hologram 1). Next,we present a one-paragraph abstract of the topic (Hologram 2), expanding upon the original definition. Then,we present the topic by providing a summary or recapitulation of the main points of each of the sections of the booklet (Hologram 3). Finally, the entire strategy is again presented by virtue of the complete text of the booklet (Hologram 4).

We anticipate that the Holographic Overview of Behavioral Research will benefit both the seasoned professional and the novice. It provides a quick, general overview of BR as well as context and background. It also directs the reader to specific sections that may be of greatest interest or that the reader would like to review first or at a later date. Thus,we hope this approach will enable the reader to make fuller use of the booklet as a reference guide, as it provides a simple and concise definition of BR, a brief description of the topic, a summary of the discussion, and finally, the complete text — all in one document.