ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the theoretical and methodological characteristics of scholarly work on the topic of HIV in the field of community psychology published internationally and in South Africa in the twenty-year period from 1990 to 2009. It not only aims to uncover the predominant theoretical and methodological approaches being utilised, but highlights the extent to which socially marginalised groups are being represented in the focus of HIV research, and how community psychology as a sub-discipline has responded to the issue of HIV. The role of the community psychologist is to actively participate and contribute to the social and political life of communities. South African articles also appeared to make greater use of qualitative and critical methodologies, data collection methods, and types of analyses. This points to South African community psychology having a more critical agenda than community psychology internationally with regard to HIV.
