Researching policy and practice to safeguard people with intellectual disabilities from abuse: Some methodological challenges

Ruth Northway*, Robert Jenkins, Victoria Jones, Joyce Howarth, Zoe Hodges

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Abuse of adults with intellectual disabilities can and does occur in many places, and as a result, many countries have instituted policies and enacted laws to address this problem. However, research concerning the impact of such policies on abuse remains largely limited to quantitative studies from the perspective of governmental or other authorities and is generally focused on one area or country. Absent are the views and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities with respect to real or perceived abuse. Given the dearth of research involving primary consumers, there is limited knowledge as to the success or failure of such policies and laws. Though carrying out such research can pose methodological and ethical challenges, not undertaking it can also have ethical and social consequences. An international research agenda that includes participatory research that both facilitates the active involvement of and investment in people with intellectual disabilities and views action as an essential outcome is thus proposed. The authors propose such an agenda and posit that along with the collection and analysis of substantially more robust quantitative data, this should facilitate comparison within and between countries.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)188-195
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities
    Volume10
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 10 Sept 2013

    Keywords

    • Abuse
    • Intellectual disabilities
    • Participatory research
    • Research methodology

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