'Internet is easy if you know how to use it': Doing online research with people with learning disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Saved in:
| Title: | 'Internet is easy if you know how to use it': Doing online research with people with learning disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Mikulak, Magdalena, Ryan, Sara, Russell, Siabhainn, Caton, Sue, Keagan‐Bull, Richard, Spalding, Rebecca, Ribenfors, Francesca, Hatton, Christopher |
| Source: | British Journal of Learning Disabilities. Jun2023, Vol. 51 Issue 2, p269-278. 10p. |
| Subjects: | Online education, Human research subjects, Internet, Research methodology, Social media, Interviewing, Qualitative research, Self-efficacy, Learning disabilities, Research funding, Medical research, COVID-19 pandemic, Diffusion of innovations |
| Abstract: | Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic changed the way we live, work, interact and do research. Many activities moved online, and digital inclusion became an urgent issue for researchers working with people with learning disabilities and other groups at risk of exclusion. This has generated new questions about how we conduct research and what it means to go into 'the field'. Methods: We discuss our experience working across four qualitative research projects involving 867 participants with learning disabilities, conducted during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Findings: Moving research online resulted in often‐swift adaptations to research designs and practice, bringing new insights and benefits to our studies. The changing circumstances fostered innovation and greater flexibility and contributed to research becoming more accessible to many. However, doing research online also posed new challenges as well as amplified existing ones. Conclusions: The pandemic has made it easier for some people with learning disabilities to participate in research, but more needs to be done to improve the reach and quality of that participation. Researchers should make the process of participation as accessible as possible. It is also their job to question and challenge the conditions that create barriers to participation in research and to look for ways to change these. We make some recommendations on how this can be achieved. Accessible summary: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, a lot of activities including research moved online. Access to the internet became even more important for people to be able to take part in the research.People with learning disabilities do not always have internet access or skills and support to use the internet. Devices and internet access can also be expensive. This means people with learning disabilities can be excluded from online activities and from research.In this article, we talk about four research projects with people with learning disabilities which we did during COVID‐19. We talk about what we did and about the changes we made to the projects because of the pandemic. We also talk about the things that worked well and the things that were difficult when we did research online.We think research should be accessible and we share some advice about how researchers can make it easier for people with learning disabilities to take part in research at a time when a lot of research happens online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of British Journal of Learning Disabilities is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic changed the way we live, work, interact and do research. Many activities moved online, and digital inclusion became an urgent issue for researchers working with people with learning disabilities and other groups at risk of exclusion. This has generated new questions about how we conduct research and what it means to go into 'the field'. Methods: We discuss our experience working across four qualitative research projects involving 867 participants with learning disabilities, conducted during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Findings: Moving research online resulted in often‐swift adaptations to research designs and practice, bringing new insights and benefits to our studies. The changing circumstances fostered innovation and greater flexibility and contributed to research becoming more accessible to many. However, doing research online also posed new challenges as well as amplified existing ones. Conclusions: The pandemic has made it easier for some people with learning disabilities to participate in research, but more needs to be done to improve the reach and quality of that participation. Researchers should make the process of participation as accessible as possible. It is also their job to question and challenge the conditions that create barriers to participation in research and to look for ways to change these. We make some recommendations on how this can be achieved. Accessible summary: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, a lot of activities including research moved online. Access to the internet became even more important for people to be able to take part in the research.People with learning disabilities do not always have internet access or skills and support to use the internet. Devices and internet access can also be expensive. This means people with learning disabilities can be excluded from online activities and from research.In this article, we talk about four research projects with people with learning disabilities which we did during COVID‐19. We talk about what we did and about the changes we made to the projects because of the pandemic. We also talk about the things that worked well and the things that were difficult when we did research online.We think research should be accessible and we share some advice about how researchers can make it easier for people with learning disabilities to take part in research at a time when a lot of research happens online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 13544187 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/bld.12495 |
