The experience of using different communication methods V.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
‘How do adults with severe acquired communication difficulties make decisions about, and experience, the communication methods they use?’
IRAS ID
143088
Contact name
Christine Carpenter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Coventry University
Research summary
This study aims to explore the views of adults who have severe communication difficulties and use communication aids to communicate. Communication aids can be low technology, such as a letter chart, or high technology, such as a computer. This study aims to find out why individuals with communication difficulties choose certain communication aids and in which situations/with which communication partners they use them.
The information from this study will help us to better understand the needs of individuals with communication difficulties, therefore providing better support for them, and it may contribute towards better design and training in the use of communication aids.
Individuals with communication difficulties are often excluded from research and this will provide an opportunity for them to express their views.This qualitative study will use interviews as a data collection method. There will be 6-8 participants, recruited from a medical charity –The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability - which has short and long-term care units for adults with acquired brain injury. Only individuals who have the capacity to consent to this research will be included. The participants will be invited to join the research by a third party individual, not related to the research.
There will be one interview per participant which may take place over a few sessions, if the individual becomes fatigued easily. The participants will be supported to communicate during the interviews by a method called ‘Talking Mats’ which helps individuals with communication difficulties to express their views. The interviews will be video recorded, with the participant’s permission, to ensure that there is an accurate record of their views and responses to the questions. The recorded interview will them be converted into a written transcript by the researcher.
When the research is completed, the participants will be offered a summary of the study results.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0875
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion