Methodological innovation
SORD has a strong interest in methodological innovation. A secondary product of many of our projects are fundamental adaptations in data collection and analysis that arise from working in a visual gestural language (signed languages) and in working in a multilingual way.
In this section we highlight some projects where this has been obvious, but all of our projects in different ways required adaptations from mainstream approaches and are evident under the other themes.
Translation and validation of standard instruments in BSL
Our approach to translation and validation of standard instruments for use with Deaf people have evolved through several projects. The instruments are available for access and download from our resources pages. The research projects and publications that relate to them are:
- Deaf people and mental wellbeing: Exploring and measuring mental wellbeing in British Sign Language
- The Translation of Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7, and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale into British Sign Language, Followed by a Pilot Study.
- Evaluating the Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of BSL (British Sign Language) IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies).
- Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) in British Sign Language (BSL).
- Telemedicine as a Treatment for Deaf people with common mental health problems who use British Sign Language: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study.
Remote data capture for sign language users
We have used and developed a range of methods for remote, secure data capture of sign language data in many of our research studies.
In the READY study we have developed new code to permit participants to simultaneously access single questions in multiple language and modalities. This will be published as part of:
PPIE and Deaf research partners in project development
Deaf people and the Deaf community are always an integral part of all of our research work but we have additionally focussed on further developing our PPIE approaches to maximise the contribution to and influence of Deaf people in research.
Some publications and resources concerning Deaf PPIE can be found here:
- Young, A., Ferguson-Coleman, E., Keady, J. (2018). Authentic Public and Patient Involvement with Deaf sign language users: it is not just about language access. Dementia. DOI: 10.1177/1471301218789567.
Arts based methods in research with d/Deaf people
We are keenly exploring a range of arts based methods in our projects with deaf people. The visual nature of some of these approaches plays to the strengths of visual language users and has implications for the validity and reach of our work. For example, our projects have engaged and commissioned Deaf artists and used film and photography in data generation.
Explore more
See all our publications, outcomes and resources for Methodological innovation.