PDC17: Increasing Involvement of Diverse, Vulnerable, and Hard-to-Reach Populations

Session Type: Professional Development Course

Abstract

Constructing scientifically sound samples of hard-to-reach populations is a challenge for many research projects. Many populations are hard to reach with standard instruments and designs, and therefore make this task difficult. Designing studies to include all people, especially diverse, vulnerable, and hard-to-reach populations, is important to ensure valid results. Universal Design is essential to ensure that these populations are fairly represented and included in the study process. This course will introduce the principles of Universal Design, the Universal Design for Evaluation checklist, trauma-informed practices, and their applications to research and evaluation. Participants will gain knowledge and skills to increase involvement of diverse, vulnerable, and hard-to-reach populations and be given knowledge and tools to improve the design of their own research or evaluation studies.

Sub Unit

• Professional Development and Training Committee

Instructors

• June Watters Gothberg, Western Michigan University

• Linda P. Thurston, Kansas State University