Development of inclusive quantitative survey instruments in youth research: the example of friendships and peer-relationships among young people with disabilities

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Youth research in the German-language area lacks inclusive perspectives on young people: there is no systematic empirical research on young people with disabilities; and there is no substantiated discussion about appropriate survey methods. Especially large-scale quantitative youth studies usually do not address young people with disabilities; or this group cannot be identified within samples mainly targeting the general population. Furthermore, youth research handbooks neglect the discussion of key-topics with regard to young people with disabilities. Official sources like governmental integration reports or the UN-Convention of the Rights Persons with Disabilities emphasise the lack of inclusive research strategies and the need for differentiated research data about disabled people. Also in the social sciences appropriate methods of data collection in related youth research are missing. The area of methodological studies exploring the possibilities of quantitative surveys of (young) people with disabilities with the aim of testing and developing methods is underdeveloped. On the basis of a specific research question the research project is dedicated to the development of quantitative instruments for administering surveys among young people with disabilities. The aim is the development of strategies and instruments of data collection that are appropriate for the various types of disability. The choice of research methods needs to consider the possible diversity of special needs associated with, for instance, sensory or physical disability, intellectual disabilities or learning difficulties, mental health or emotional disabilities, speech impediments, or multiple disabilities. Inclusive research strategies avoid research designs that systematically exclude young people with disabilities on the basis of methodical barriers. The study is organised in the following way: - Sample design and exploration of possible access paths - Development of survey instruments corresponding to modes of data collection and to various types of disabilities of young people - Empirical testing of survey instruments (with regard to general criteria of designing questionnaires as well as the comparison of different modes of data collection) - Development of multi-dimensional instruments and dissemination of findings.