Flynn, S., Denne, L.D., Manktelow, N. et al. (3 more authors) (2025) Engaging children with developmental disabilities in online data collection procedures: reflections and implications for future research. Tizard Learning Disability Review. ISSN 1359-5474
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline reflections and recommendations about the processes involved in effectively engaging children with developmental disabilities in online data collection in special schools in England.
Design/methodology/approach
Data collection procedures were adapted and piloted for online delivery with children with developmental disabilities before data were collected online from 382 young children (aged 5–11 years) in 55 special schools in England as part of a randomised controlled trial examining the efficacy of Headsprout Early Reading® on reading fluency.
Findings
The research team engaged with creative and adaptive methods throughout the process, from initial planning to delivery, to ensure successful and systematic data collection with children with developmental disabilities. It is possible to effectively engage children with developmental disabilities in online data collection procedures, and with appropriate planning and procedural considerations, this can be an enjoyable experience for children.
Research limitations/implications
Whilst there are geographical and logistical advantages to online data collection methods, there is also the potential for an increased administrative burden that should be appropriately planned and costed.
Practical implications
Purposely engaging online data collection methods can enable researchers to involve a greater number of children with developmental disabilities in research.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest study using purposefully engaging online data collection methods with children with developmental disabilities in special schools. Furthermore, this study provides detailed reflections and recommendations to support similar processes for future research.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2025 The Authors. Except as otherwise noted, this author-accepted version of a journal article published in Tizard Learning Disability Review is made available via the University of Sheffield Research Publications and Copyright Policy under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
Keywords: | Health Services and Systems; Social Work; Health Sciences; Human Society; Pediatric; Generic health relevance; Quality Education |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Faculty of Social Sciences Research Institute |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 21 May 2025 08:19 |
Last Modified: | 21 May 2025 08:19 |
Status: | Published online |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/tldr-07-2024-0032 |
Related URLs: | |
Sustainable Development Goals: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:226921 |