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16.5 Summary 519

with Fragile X Syndrome. What are the first steps that you would take? Are there
important considerations related to gender and communication? What groups could
you reach out and connect with? What might the considerations be for recruiting
participants? As a population of users without any preexisting research on computer
usage, what research methods might be most appropriate? What modifications might
you need to make to your methodology and logistics?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What are five commonly used categories of inclusion criteria for determining
whether someone with a disability can be included in a research study?
2. How do experience, confidence, technical environment, and previous barriers,
influence perceptions of usability by participants with disabilities in research
studies?
3. For what types of participants will you need to bring in sign language
interpreters? How many sign language interpreters are typically needed?
4. Why are proxy users generally not considered valid for research? What are the
limited circumstances where proxy users may be considered acceptable?
5. Why are small sample sizes considered acceptable in research involving people
with disabilities?

6. What are the strengths and weaknesses of doing distributed research involving
people with disabilities?
7. What are the strengths and weaknesses of doing case study research involving
people with disabilities?
8. The chapter discusses the choice of using a consistent technical environment
or using each user's individual technology environment. In what research
scenario, and using what types of methods, would you want to utilize a
consistent technical environment? In what research scenario, and using
what types of methods, would you want to utilize each user's own technical
environment?

9. What is a research intervention, and why might one be necessary when doing
research involving people with disabilities?
10. What are three benefits of doing pilot studies involving participants with
disabilities?
11. What are four methodological or logistical adjustments that you might need to
make, when doing research involving people with cognitive disabilities?
12. What might three modifications be, to allow for people with disabilities to
officially provide informed consent for participation in the research study?