[Change due to research--multiple responsibilities and goals of a general practice research model project on sexual self determination and sexual violence in institutions for mentally handicapped patients].

The present article gives inside in research work in progress. Habermas (1973) pointed out the interdependency of economical motivational and other personal interests and the scientific results in research. Starting research on (sexual) self determination in institutions for mentally retarded people we were confronted with quite a number of conflicts of interests. The present article tries to clarify these conflicts from different perspectives e.g. the perspective of the management of the institutions, the perspective of the concerned inhabitants and the perspective of the caregivers. Describing the areas and hindrances we try to find out what sort of fascilitators are needed to improve the participation of mentally handicapped persons in this research process. From a methodological point of view we chose a qualitative approach to generate prototypes and controlled this approach by an expert committee. One of the main results is that a policy against sexual abuse in these institutions has to be part of the general quality discussion.