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.
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Clinicians may struggle to distinguish autistic traits from symptoms of mental health conditions because of similarities in external presentation.
“Clinicians may struggle to distinguish autistic traits from symptoms of mental health conditions because of similarities in external presentation,8,12–14”
From Approaches to improving mental healthcare for autistic people: Systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [8]
For autistic people, co-occurring mental health difficulties can lead to increased risk of suicide.
“and increased risk of suicide.6–8”
From Approaches to improving mental healthcare for autistic people: Systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [8]
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Approaches to improving mental healthcare for autistic people: Systematic review
Loizou, S., Pemovska, T., Stefanidou, T., Foye, U., Cooper, R., Kular, A., Greenburgh, A., Baldwin, H., Griffiths, J., Saunders, K. R. K., et al. (2024) · BJPsych Open · doi:10.1192/bjo.2024.707 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“…the design, conduct or write-up of the study; (2) for studies with qualitative elements, reported adjustments made to the data collection process; 24 (3) for studies with quantitative elements, reported adjustments made to the data collection tools; 25 (4) for studies with quantitative elements,…”
- Authors
- Benford, P., & Standen, P. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Nottingham (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Benford, P.
- ORCID
- Standen, P.J.
- Venue
- International Journal of Social Research Methodology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2011-09
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 353-368
- ISSN
- 1364-5579 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-5300
- OpenAlex
- W2010088541
- Cited by
- 44
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 5.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Social Research Methodology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Survey Methodology and Nonresponse
- Keywords
- computer-mediated communication, high-functioning autism, autistic people, inclusive research, grounded theory, epistemology of research, research ethics
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