The use of email‐facilitated interviewing with higher functioning autistic people participating in a grounded theory study

Abstract

This paper explores the inclusive potential of computer‐mediated communication (CMC) for a ‘hard to reach’ group of research participants, specifically people at the higher functioning end of the autistic spectrum. Drawing on the literature pertaining to the fields of autism, CMC and research methods, as well as the first author’s experience of using email as a means of conducting interviews, the paper will discuss the epistemological, methodological and practical issues raised by the use of this method of collecting data from higher functioning autistic people, as well as its suitability in the context of a study guided by grounded theory.

Keywords:

• email‐facilitated interviewing
• high‐functioning autism
• Asperger syndrome
• grounded theory

Acknowledgements

Special thanks are due to the individuals with higher functioning autism who gave their time and commitment to the study on which this paper is based. Additionally, we would like to thank Professor Claire Anderson and Dr Nicola Gray for their advisory roles.

Notes

1. Emoticons are textual representations of the writer’s mood or facial expression. Also known as ‘smilies’ they may be based on a combination of standard keyboard symbols, for example; ‐), or pictures, for example☺.