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Accessible Research: Lowering Barriers to Participation

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Qualitative Methodologies in Organization Studies

Abstract

In this chapter, I aim to provide a review and practical guidance on making research participation accessible by lowering barriers to participation. I outline how barriers to participation constitute barriers to representation. This is at odds with our ethos as qualitative researchers and there are strong ethical and methodological arguments for improving access to research participation. Individual sections discuss possible accommodations and adjustments throughout the research process, from the planning phase, to approaching and recruiting participants, preparing and presenting material, general communication with participants, up to presenting and disseminating research findings. I conclude by stressing that accessible research is necessary, possible and productive.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Of course, this can always be subject to publication layout limitations, as is the case with the chapter in this book.

  2. 2.

    A good overview is listed here: https://www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility.

  3. 3.

    List of resources here: http://www.ict4ial.eu/guidelines/making-electronic-documents-accessible/resources-help-make-electronic-documents-accessible.

  4. 4.

    In addition, reducing the extent of the use of metaphors or humour could benefit non-neurotypical participants (Samson and Hegenloh 2010; Lyons and Fitzgerald 2004).

  5. 5.

    I use ‘people who are pregnant’ rather than ‘pregnant women’ to acknowledge pregnant trans men.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

    Daniela Rudloff

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  1. Daniela Rudloff
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Teesside University Business School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

    Malgorzata Ciesielska

  2. Akademia Leona Koźmińskiego, Warszawa, Poland

    Dariusz Jemielniak

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Rudloff, D. (2018). Accessible Research: Lowering Barriers to Participation. In: Ciesielska, M., Jemielniak, D. (eds) Qualitative Methodologies in Organization Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65217-7_10

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