Alcohol and alcoholism in Alaska: research in a multicultural and transitional society.

Working and living in Alaska, where social and cultural transitions are taking place, allows one the opportunity to reflect on the methods and procedures involved in one's discipline and/or research orientation. This article thus provides a review of what is happening in Alaska with respect to alcohol use by Alaska Natives and reflects on the issues involved when traditional cross-cultural research procedures are followed. Questions are also raised concerning what the focus of research might be, and suggestions for more culturally relevant research are advanced.