Techniques for Interviewing People with Communication Disabilities or Differences
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Workshop
Start Date
12-1-2021 2:00 PM
End Date
12-1-2021 2:50 PM
Abstract
Interviews are a commonly used technique for gathering qualitative data. Approximately 1/5 of Americans have a speech, language, or hearing impairment or limited English proficiency that would substantially alter the effectiveness of typical interviewing techniques. Using typical, non-directive techniques for conducting interviews may be unsuccessful when participants have communication disabilities or differences (Luck & Rose, 2007; Prior et al, 2020). To address this difficulty, interviewers may often resort to the use of proxies rather than tackle techniques or strategies that could bridge communication challenges. Interviewers may also find that they are making interpretations or directing the conversation in ways that may not be consistent with the participant’s meaning. These challenges may substantially affect the validity with which data are collected through interviews.
Knowledgeable use of effective interviewer strategies, including supported communication and strategic use of wait time and conversational techniques with verification, can lead to more effective interviews (Wilson & Kim, 2019; Teachman & Gibson, 2018). Visual tools are also growing in use and can have a number of different purposes within an interview (Glegg, 2019). For example, pictographic supports, visual rating scales, and other tools can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful interview with individuals with communication disabilities or differences.
In this hands-on workshop, we will demonstrate and give you a chance to practice communication supports and strategies that can improve the results of interviews conducted with those who have communication disabilities or differences.
Keywords
Interviews, communication disorders, language differences
ORCID ID
0000-0002-4052-1420
Techniques for Interviewing People with Communication Disabilities or Differences
Interviews are a commonly used technique for gathering qualitative data. Approximately 1/5 of Americans have a speech, language, or hearing impairment or limited English proficiency that would substantially alter the effectiveness of typical interviewing techniques. Using typical, non-directive techniques for conducting interviews may be unsuccessful when participants have communication disabilities or differences (Luck & Rose, 2007; Prior et al, 2020). To address this difficulty, interviewers may often resort to the use of proxies rather than tackle techniques or strategies that could bridge communication challenges. Interviewers may also find that they are making interpretations or directing the conversation in ways that may not be consistent with the participant’s meaning. These challenges may substantially affect the validity with which data are collected through interviews.
Knowledgeable use of effective interviewer strategies, including supported communication and strategic use of wait time and conversational techniques with verification, can lead to more effective interviews (Wilson & Kim, 2019; Teachman & Gibson, 2018). Visual tools are also growing in use and can have a number of different purposes within an interview (Glegg, 2019). For example, pictographic supports, visual rating scales, and other tools can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful interview with individuals with communication disabilities or differences.
In this hands-on workshop, we will demonstrate and give you a chance to practice communication supports and strategies that can improve the results of interviews conducted with those who have communication disabilities or differences.
Comments
References
Glegg, S. M. N. (2019). Facilitating Interviews in Qualitative Research With Visual Tools: A Typology. Qualitative Health Research, 29(2), 301.
Luck, A. M. & Rose, M. L. (2007) Interviewing people with aphasia: Insights into method adjustments from a pilot study, Aphasiology, 21:2, 208-224, DOI:10.1080/02687030601065470
Prior, S., Miller, A., Campbell, S., Linegar, K., & Peterson, G. (2020). The Challenges of Including Patients With Aphasia in Qualitative Research for Health Service Redesign: Qualitative Interview Study. Journal of Participatory Medicine, 12(1), N.PAG.
Roulston, K. (2019). Interactional Studies of Qualitative Research Interviews. John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Teachman, G., & Gibson, B. E. (2018). Integrating Visual Methods With Dialogical Interviews in Research With Youth Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17(1), 1.
Wilson, C. & Kim, E. S. (2019): Qualitative data collection: considerations for people with Aphasia, Aphasiology, DOI: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1693027