A collection of original papers on the nature of AIDS social research, this volume brings together anthropologists, sociologists, psychologists, and public health researchers to consider the methodological, empirical, and conceptual aspects of the problem. Unlike other studies, which focus on the medical and epidemiological aspects of AIDS, this study specifically focuses on the social aspects of the disease, the response of the community and medical profession, and the effects of the epidemic upon the gay subculture. Consideration is given to methodological shortcomings in the research on the social aspects of AIDS as well as reports of original research.