Communication Resource Centre, Scope.
Augment Altern Commun. 2011 Dec;27(4):267-78. doi: 10.3109/07434618.2011.587831.
Observation methods have been used in both communication and interaction research. Qualitative interpretive approaches are rare where participants have complex communication needs. Issues for qualitative researchers utilizing participant observation research methods have been well documented, but a similar discussion is lacking where the participants are people with severe intellectual disability. Observational data collected from a study of adults with severe intellectual disabilities in interaction with their social network members were scrutinized to identify challenges and benefits of participant observation. Challenges identified include the consent process, changing roles, and researcher intrusion. The use of participant observation with adults with severe intellectual disabilities allows for unexpected insights and provides context and credence for other lines of inquiry. Participant observation may be useful with other groups of people.
观察法在交流和互动研究中都有应用。在参与者有复杂沟通需求的情况下，很少使用定性解释方法。虽然已有大量文献讨论了使用参与观察法的定性研究人员所面临的问题，但在参与者为严重智力障碍者的情况下，这方面的讨论却很少。本文仔细研究了一项关于严重智力障碍成年人与他们的社交网络成员互动的研究中的观察数据，以确定参与观察的挑战和益处。识别出的挑战包括同意过程、角色变化和研究人员的干扰。使用参与观察法研究严重智力障碍成年人可以提供意想不到的见解，并为其他研究提供背景和依据。参与观察法可能对其他人群也有用。
