Methodology
Data were collected by two instruments, a semi-structured interview, and a survey. Both instruments used in this action research study were created by the researcher after an exhaustive literature search of similar research. Although there is limited research which specifically addresses the topic of parents’ perceptions of the IPRC process related to the field of hearing loss and autism, there were other studies conducted on similar topics in which the parents involved had children with other learning difficulties or disabilities. In many cases the parents’ perceptions of the IPRC process was similar and so reflecting and reviewing their interview protocols and surveys was helpful. The goal of this action research pilot study was to determine the appropriateness of the questions being used in the semi-structured interview and the survey, and the ability to elicit responses from participants which address the problem statement.
Due to the dearth of research in this area, it was necessary to create an original interview protocol. The development of the questions was guided by the review of literature and the issues which were discussed and addressed by parents in similar studies and research. The purpose of the pilot study was to validate the interview protocol.
IRB approval was received prior to the start of the study. Study participants were recruited via social media posts on three separate groups for caregivers of children of hearing loss and one group for caregivers of children with autism. Two responses were received, and one respondent met the criteria of the study. The placement of posts was very targeted in order to reach a select group of parents. Given the type of research, purposive sampling was the best approach. “…purposive sampling allows you to focus in depth on a phenomenon” (Burkholder et al., 2020, p.248). An informed consent form was sent to the participant who met the study’s criteria. The survey was also emailed out at this time and the location, date and time was set for the interview.
Three data sources were used in order to collect information for this mixed methods action research study; the interview, the survey, and documents shared by the participant. Documents included four initial IPRC decision statements, two audiograms, a medical letter regarding the child’s exceptionality and an information sheet regarding the IPRC process for DHH student shared by the participant which she had received prior to the first IPRC. She had received this as a courtesy since she was employed by the school board at that time. The information was not readily available to other parents attending IPRC meetings for their child. Data gathered from the documents collected provided supporting information for the interview transcript.
The study researcher conducted the hour-long interview at the home of the participant. Following the interview, the researcher immediately recorded field notes. Field notes served to add detail to the interview data which may not have been captured in the audio transcript, such as changes in body language. The purpose of conducting the interview was to verify its validity and reliability. In addition, it was also focused on collecting information regarding the parent’s involvement in, and perception of, the IPRC process. The survey questions focused on collecting demographic data of the participant and their child as well as a Likert scale questionnaire regarding their perceptions of various aspects of the IPRC process. The interview was audio recorded and then transcribed using Microsoft Word. The transcript was then manually checked for accuracy by the researcher to confirm its accuracy.