Doctoral Dissertation Research: Neurological Studies in Tactile Map Use and Training by Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

这个项目调查了盲人或视障人士的空间能力、地图使用任务和基于训练的表现效果之间的关系。由于这项研究的理论基础是空间认知、触觉映射和使用以及功能磁共振成像(FMRI)，因此研究结果将确定系统的触觉地图使用和空间思维训练所产生的基于行为和生物的影响。此外，以前的研究已经在有视力的人群中发现了与空间能力和地图使用任务绩效相关的神经模式，这将有助于分析有视力和盲人受试者群体在执行类似任务时的异同。实验设计本身揭示了行为地理学和地图学研究的一种新的方法学方法。过去的研究从基于心理物理的、基于认知和表现的、基于训练的和基于神经的方法集中在触觉地图的使用上。然而，这些不同的方法尚未整合。这项研究的基础是，混合方法方法将提供一种更全面的衡量标准，不仅是对空间和地图使用任务的衡量，而且是对培训效果的衡量。拟议的研究将产生更广泛的影响，为定向和行动能力训练研究建立一个基础设施。该项目将以触觉地图阅读协议的形式创建并提供一种新的培训工具，该工具将由俄勒冈州盲人学校的教职员工进行评估，并免费提供给公众。该项目汇集了一个由教师、定向和流动专家、学生和研究人员组成的研究团队，通过一项实证研究开发了一个课程增强工具。这一由研究人员和教育工作者组成的协作团队的模式将加强为盲人和视障人士提出的触觉地图阅读协议的构建。从智力的角度来看，该项目整合了三个领域的概念、理论和实验设计方法：行为地理学、地图学和功能磁共振成像。这些结果不仅将增强这些领域的文献，而且还将提供这些领域的第一批整合之一。在这样做的过程中，实验设计将提供一个整合方法的模型，并说明真正的跨学科方法论方法。

This project investigates the relationship between spatial abilities, map use tasks, and training-based performance effects by persons who are blind or visually impaired. Because the study is theoretically grounded in the areas of spatial cognition, tactile mapping and use, and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), the results will identify both the behavioral-based and the biological-based impacts resulting from systematic tactile map use and spatial thinking training. In addition, previous research has identified the neural patterns associated with spatial ability and map use task performance in sighted population, which will allow analysis of the similarities and differences between sighted and blind subject groups in the performance of similar tasks. The experimental design, itself, reveals a novel methodological approach in behavioral geography and cartographic research. Past research has focused on tactile map use from psychophysical-based, cognition and performance-based, training-based, and neural-based approaches. However, these diverse methods have not yet been integrated. This research is based on the assertion that a mixed methodological approach will provide a more holistic measure, not only of spatial and map use tasks, but also on the effects of training. The proposed research will have broader impacts by creating an infrastructure for research on orientation and mobility training. The project will create and provide a new training tool in the form of a tactile map reading protocol, which will be evaluated by faculty at the Oregon School for the Blind, and be provided to the public free of charge. The project brings together a research team of teachers, orientation and mobility specialists, students and researchers to develop a curriculum-enhancing tool through an empirical study. This model of a collaborative team of researchers and educators will enhance the building of the tactile map reading protocol proposed for the blind and visually impaired. From an intellectual standpoint, the project integrates concepts, theories, and experiment design approaches from three fields: behavioral geography, cartography, and fMRI. Not only will the results enhance the literature in each of these areas, but they will also provide one of the first integrations of these fields. In doing so, the experimental design will provide a model to integrate methods and illustrate a truly cross-disciplinary methodological approach.