Communication involving people with S-PLD 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Non-verbal and verbal communication involving adults with severe to profound learning disabilities (S-PLD): an exploratory investigation using conversation analysis.
IRAS ID
132250
Contact name
Clare Nicholson
Contact email
Research summary
There is a lack of research into communication involving people with severe to profound learning disabilities (SPLD).
This study aims to provide a detailed picture of communicative methods used by individuals with SPLD
and the ways
that family/staff and other professionals (both helpfully and unhelpfully) respond. As it addresses a gap in the literature,
this study should provide currently unavailable insights. Because research on this topic is scarce, this is an exploratory
study. The purpose is not to test hypotheses, but to provide a rich, detailed account of actual interactions. Having a
detailed picture of how successful nonverbal
communication is and identifying effective strategies will hopefully
directly feedback into staff training.
Residential homes and day centres will be contacted to recruit participants. Appropriate staff and other
professionals/family members and friends will be approached and informed consent will be obtained from those
willing to be involved. Those with SPLD
will be individually assessed as to whether they have the mental capacity to
Social Care REC Form Reference:
14/IEC08/0005
IRAS Version 3.5
Date: 24/01/2014 6 132250/555279/27/856
This study aims to provide a detailed picture of communicative methods used by individuals with SPLD
and the ways
that family/staff and other professionals (both helpfully and unhelpfully) respond. As it addresses a gap in the literature,
this study should provide currently unavailable insights. Because research on this topic is scarce, this is an exploratory
study. The purpose is not to test hypotheses, but to provide a rich, detailed account of actual interactions. Having a
detailed picture of how successful nonverbal
communication is and identifying effective strategies will hopefully
directly feedback into staff training.
Residential homes and day centres will be contacted to recruit participants. Appropriate staff and other
professionals/family members and friends will be approached and informed consent will be obtained from those
willing to be involved. Those with SPLD
will be individually assessed as to whether they have the mental capacity to
give informed consent (Mental Capacity Act; MCA, 2005). To ensure that individuals with severe to profound learning
disabilities are represented within the literature those who cannot give informed consent will not be automatically
omitted from the sample population. Consultees will be identified and approached.
Everyday interactions between individuals with SPLD
and staff/family will be recorded at agreed locations.
Ethnographic field notes will also be made. Examples of interactions to be observed include leisure and educational
activities and meal times. I aim to collect approximately 40 hours of video recorded data in total from a number of
participants.
I will analyse the video recordings using conversation analysis (CA). CA allows for both verbal and nonverbal
conduct
to be analysed, capturing the essence of interactions between two or more individuals (Antaki, 2011).
A62.REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
14/IEC08/0005
Date of REC Opinion
14 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion