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The role of research in the social work profession is examined and the current changes, directions, and challenges in the pursuit of research funds is discussed. Career Development Awards, specially the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award or the K01 mechanism offered by the National Institutes of Health is highlighted.

This article discusses the findings of a qualitative study of a group of young Mexican Americans in a barrio, fictitiously called 'Las Montanas Bonitas,' located in a large Southwestern city. Young Mexican Americans' perception of ethnic identity is the focus of this study. The ethnographic techniques of participant observation, focus groups, and semistructured interviews were used. The most poignant finding is the respondents' use of racial terms to define and understand acculturation differences. Also, the intense negative feelings expressed by Mexican Americans about less acculturated, monolingual, Spanish-speaking individuals are noted. Other findings suggest that respondents have strong connections with both contemporary youth culture and traditional culture. The overarching themes of respondent narratives relate to boundaries and loyalty in the face of internal colonialization. Keywords: Mexican Americans; adolescents; ethnicity; race; acculturation; ethnography; internal colonialization