The Agentic Positioning of Youth With Disabilities in Participatory Qualitative Research Practices: A Methodological Examination

• In Event: Considerations of Vulnerability and Agency

Abstract

While applications of participatory research methods are becoming more frequent in the education community, numerous tensions and challenges require careful attention and negotiation to support meaningful engagement for youth with special needs To provide an understanding of the current state of youth engagement, the aim of this paper is to critically examine the agentic positioning of youth with special needs in contemporary research through a methodological literature review to explore the ways in which youth are engaged with and in research. Findings from this review serve to ground our proposed recommendations for future research practices that carefully attend to the unique issues that arise during such participatory work – ethical considerations, individual agency limitations, power inequities, and variations in communicative abilities.

Authors

• Angela L. Eckhoff, Old Dominion University

• Jennifer E. Urbach, University of Northern Colorado