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Research interviews with people with mental handicaps
Author(s) -
Atkinson Dorothy
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
mental handicap research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 0952-9608
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3148.1988.tb00006.x
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , psychology , field (mathematics) , public relations , applied psychology , social psychology , computer science , political science , mathematics , artificial intelligence , pure mathematics
In any study of the lives and life styles of people with mental handicaps it is essential to make every effort to obtain the consumers' own perspective of their own social situation and personal circumstances. There is a growing body of literature on the challenges faced by researchers who seek the viewpoint of consumers and some ideas are now emerging about how to meet those challenges most effectively. This paper looks at this growing body of literature, and notes some points of consensus. The paper then describes the research methods used in a follow‐up study of people with mental handicaps living in the community, in which personal views were sought. An attempt is made to describe the challenges met, not only at the design stage but also during the research interviews. Some key issues emerged from the study, and these are discussed in some detail. Illustrative interview material is included to highlight points made about the interaction between researchers and respondents, and to suggest some ways forward for others embarking in this field.