Tips for conducting research with neuro-diverse participants

Accessibility

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Helpful tips to optimise your research

In this 5th and final piece in our series offering guidance on conducting research with people with various access needs, we looks at research considerations with neuro-diverse participants.

Neuro-diverse participants include those with autism, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and memory impairments.

Tips when conducting research with neuro-diverse participants

  • Have tasks and scenarios written down
    Ensure that tasks and scenarios are kept as short as possible, without compromising on clarity. Present these to the participants and read through the tasks and scenarios with them. This will make it easier for people with dyslexia and attention deficits to follow.
  • Include visuals within instructions
    Where appropriate, provide visual rather than/in addition to written instructions. This will make it easier for participants with dyslexia, and learning and communication difficulties to follow.
  • Allow participants to complete scenarios as themselves
    It is common within UX research to ask participants to imagine that they are a fictional person (e.g. “Imagine you’re Chris, you’re 57 years old and you’d like to fly to Malta with your partner, Skye, on 3 December”). These abstract concepts can be difficult for people with certain cognitive impairments to grasp, so it’s preferable to allow them to complete tasks and scenarios as themselves.
  • Split up questions and tasks
    Some of this user group may become easily overwhelmed or find it difficult to remember large chunks of information. It is therefore important to reduce the cognitive load for participants by splitting up tasks and questions into smaller, more manageable chunks.
  • Use rating scales as a conversation prompt
    People with certain cognitive impairments, like learning difficulties, may struggle to understand how to provide a rating that is truly indicative of their opinion. However, rating scales can be used as a conversation point with these participants, instead of relying on just the number they answer with. Always asks participants why they gave that number so that they are prompted to discuss their opinions and thoughts further.

mri brain scanPassionate about digital accessibility

Our expert consultants are passionate about ensuring that digital products are made more accessible to everyone. The team brings a range of experience, including conducting research with neuro-diverse participants, and a broad range of impairments. Please do get in touch if you think we can help!

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Links to the other 4 articles in this series:

Conducting research with participants with disabilities

Conducting research with participants with an auditory impairment

Conducting research with participants with a motor impairment

 

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