Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Scholars face methodological challenges when conducting research about vulnerable populations, such as individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). They often struggle to identify, sample, and interview individuals in order to learn about their life experiences and perspectives. A...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Brenda S. Dow, Brandon M. Boylan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-06-01
Series:International Journal of Qualitative Methods
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920931254
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spelling doaj-71f484cea4a1409da306e56c17800a002020-11-25T04:10:52ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692020-06-011910.1177/1609406920931254Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum DisorderBrenda S. Dow0Brandon M. Boylan1 Presbyterian Hospitality House, Fairbanks, AK, USA Department of Political Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USAScholars face methodological challenges when conducting research about vulnerable populations, such as individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). They often struggle to identify, sample, and interview individuals in order to learn about their life experiences and perspectives. Although some scholarship provides methodological guidance on researching vulnerable populations, scant literature addresses accessing and collecting perceptions from individuals with FASD. Based on work with adults with FASD, we offer procedures for sampling and interviewing. Our suggestions include working with agencies and gatekeepers involved with the population; ensuring voluntary and informed consent throughout the interview process; establishing rapport with interviewees and providing a comfortable interview environment for them; and adjusting interview questions according to individuals’ cognitive abilities. By following these procedures, researchers can learn from these individuals while reducing the risk of harm to them.https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920931254
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Brenda S. Dow
Brandon M. Boylan
spellingShingle Brenda S. Dow
Brandon M. Boylan
Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
International Journal of Qualitative Methods
author_facet Brenda S. Dow
Brandon M. Boylan
author_sort Brenda S. Dow
title Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
title_short Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
title_full Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
title_fullStr Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
title_full_unstemmed Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
title_sort learning from vulnerable populations: methodological implications of interviewing individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
publisher SAGE Publishing
series International Journal of Qualitative Methods
issn 1609-4069
publishDate 2020-06-01
description Scholars face methodological challenges when conducting research about vulnerable populations, such as individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). They often struggle to identify, sample, and interview individuals in order to learn about their life experiences and perspectives. Although some scholarship provides methodological guidance on researching vulnerable populations, scant literature addresses accessing and collecting perceptions from individuals with FASD. Based on work with adults with FASD, we offer procedures for sampling and interviewing. Our suggestions include working with agencies and gatekeepers involved with the population; ensuring voluntary and informed consent throughout the interview process; establishing rapport with interviewees and providing a comfortable interview environment for them; and adjusting interview questions according to individuals’ cognitive abilities. By following these procedures, researchers can learn from these individuals while reducing the risk of harm to them.
url https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920931254
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