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This paper describes and critiques the use of a combined qualitative and quantitative research methodology to investigate the impact of the verdict and subsequent civil disturbances in the Rodney King police brutality case upon Black youth, ages 15-30, in South Central Los Angeles. The study, conducted in 1993-1994, focused on the attitudes and experiences of these youth in four institutional systems: education, employment, criminal justice and health care. Eight research issues were identified in 17 focus groups and 32 individual interviews: (1) developing the study design; (2) establishing research credibility; (3) recruiting the sample, (4) conducting the focus groups; (5) confidentiality and use of data; (6) data analysis; (7) generalizability of results; and (8) feedback to the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]