The Communication Research Registry: facilitating access to research experiences for people with a communication disability

ABSTRACT

Communication research typically involves participant recruitment of individuals with a communication disability. However, such recruitment can be particularly difficult due to the social isolation and communication difficulties that are inherent to this population. As such, the Communication Research Registry (CRR) was established. The current study aimed to: (1) identify the motivations of individuals with a communication disability for joining the CRR and participating in communication research; (2) explore research experiences of CRR members; and (3) determine research areas of importance to CRR members. Answers to these research questions are needed to facilitate research recruitment and positive research experiences for people with communication disability. Online or paper surveys containing a mix of open- and closed-ended questions were completed by 89 adults with a communication disability. Qualitative content analysis of participant responses identified two main themes responsible for motivating adults to join the CRR, including: (1) altruistic motivators; and (2) personal motivators. The majority of participants reported having had positive research experiences through the CRR, and identified a range of potential research areas they would like further investigated. The study findings are not only important for expanding and improving the CRR and research registries more broadly, but are relevant to all communication researchers who endeavour to include individuals with a communication disability in research and facilitate meaningful research experiences. Furthermore, the results offer support for the CRR in addressing barriers to recruitment and facilitating access and inclusion of people with a communication disability in research.

KEYWORDS:

• Communication
• registry
• motivations
• experiences
• research
• participation
• aphasia
• hearing loss

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge and thank Speech Pathology Australia and the Australian Communication Exchange for their financial support of the Communication Research Registry. Many thanks also to the members of the Communication Research Registry.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors wish to acknowledge and thank Speech Pathology Australia and the Australian Communication Exchange for their financial support of the Communication Research Registry. Many thanks also to the members of the Communication Research Registry.