A Silent Minority, unheard and unseen? A reflective account of methodological and linguistic challenges in research with older people ageing with Deafblindness

Bacchini, Simone and Simcock, Peter (2020) A Silent Minority, unheard and unseen? A reflective account of methodological and linguistic challenges in research with older people ageing with Deafblindness. Expressio, 1 (3). ISSN 2532-439X

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Abstract

With reference to a specific, ongoing doctoral research project on the lived experience of vulnerability among older deafblind people (DBV), this paper aims to present and discuss some of the unique challenges, as well as opportunities, that investigators are likely to encounter when conducting research with older deafblind people, as well as other minority groups. These challenges and opportunities pertain to three separate, yet interconnected, areas: the methodological, the ethical, and the linguistic. The article is in essence a reflective account; it also aims to offer practical advice – as well as points for reflection – to those who are conducting, or plan to conduct, research involving similar cohorts. It concludes that preparedness and self-awareness are essential if we are to faithfully capture and faithfully transmit the voices of groups which are often unseen and unheard. Greater awareness of the communicative needs of deafblind people, especially in the area of pragmatics, will allow researchers to capture their lived experiences more faithfully.

Item Type:	Article
Dates:	Date Event 1 February 2020 Accepted 31 December 2020 Published
Uncontrolled Keywords:	deafblindness, qualitative research, older people, communication
Subjects:	CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-04 - health and social care > CAH15-04-01 - social work CAH19 - language and area studies > CAH19-01 - English studies > CAH19-01-07 - linguistics
Divisions:	Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > College of Education and Social Work
Depositing User:	Peter Simcock
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2020 12:56
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2022 16:23
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/9547