Opinion: revisiting the means to select and transmit of the AAC model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Fuller ◽  
Eliada Pampoulou
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Rapid Rate ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Receptive Communication

PurposeThis paper, a theoretical article, aims to revisit the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) communication model and its transmission processes and interface as proposed by Lloyd, Quist and Windsor in 1990. More specifically, the focus of this paper is on the classifications of the SELECT (i.e. the means to select symbols) and TRANS (i.e. the means to transmit messages) components of the AAC transmission processes and interface.Design/methodology/approachThe field of AAC is evolving at a rapid rate. As the field continues to evolve in terms of its clinical, social, research and theoretical underpinnings, it is incumbent upon academics and practitioners in AAC to be cognizant of terminological and theoretical changes that may be needed to keep pace with the evolution of the field.FindingsThe authors welcome feedback from academics and clinicians with the hope that a more thorough discussion will lead stakeholders to more accurate and descriptive terminology related to the means to select and transmit components of the AAC model transmission processes.Originality/valueThe goal of this article was to suggest that the aided versus unaided classification continue to be used to classify the means to select but a new taxonomy be adopted for the means to transmit, thereby eliminating the use of the terms high and low technology. Terminology developed to describe TRANS should be unambiguous, include both expressive and receptive communication and be clinically relevant. In the opinion of the authors, the proposed taxonomy meets all three of these criteria.

Graphic symbols terminology: a call for a consensus

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliada Pampoulou
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Graphic Symbols ◽  
Multidisciplinary Nature ◽  
Picture Communication Symbols ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Picture Communication

Purpose Graphic symbols, such as the Picture Communication Symbols, Makaton and Widgit, have been traditionally used in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in order to support people with little or no functional speech. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach However, given the fact that the terminology remains contested in the existing literature as well as the multidisciplinary nature surrounding graphic symbols, in more recent years and the number of terms used in different fields, it is vital that the terminology of graphic symbols is revisited again. Findings In the last section of the paper, a definition of graphic symbols is proposed. Originality/value The value of this paper lies in the fact that while field of graphic symbols have been used in the AAC for more than 30 years, there is still no consensus regarding the meaning of the terminology used.

Causality in qualitative market and social research

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-413
Author(s):  
Clive Roland Boddy
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Academic qualitative researchers have been criticized for rejecting the idea that their research can establish causality while market and social researchers, with their realist and pragmatic approach to research, take for granted that it can. This paper aims to explore the ability of qualitative research to determine cause and effect in terms of market and social phenomena. Design/methodology/approach The literature on causality in qualitative research is reviewed and discussed. The discussion is further informed by the author’s own experience of undertaking commercial and academic market and social qualitative research over the past 33 years. Findings In qualitative market and social research, the determination of causality is often needed but rarely discussed. This paper explores this occurrence and brings to the fore, via discussion and the use of example, the ways in which causality can be determined by qualitative research. Practical implications A determination of what events bring about predictable changes in social and market environments can be established via qualitative research particularly at a probabilistic level of causality. This implies that policymakers should give a greater emphasis to qualitative findings than then sometimes do at the moment. Originality/value Causality in market and social research is rarely discussed by practitioners but is nevertheless a premise of much of the qualitative research that is undertaken. This paper is therefore distinctive in that it examines whether this premise is justifiable.

The information concept of Nicholas Belkin revisited – some semeiotic comments

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torkild Thellefsen ◽  
Bent Sørensen ◽  
Martin Thellefsen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communication Models ◽  
The Social ◽  
Concept Of Information ◽  
Information Concept

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine and compare Nicholas Belkin's information concept and his concept of communication with the authors' semeiotic inspired communication model – the Dynacom. Design/methodology/approach – The authors compare the two communication models by comparing the requirements given by Belkin and the conditions of the Dynacom. Findings – The authors conclude that Belkin's idea of information and his idea of communication lack the social aspect. Based on his theory, he is unable to point out how information becomes knowledge. These are two major issues the authors believe they can elaborate on by introducing the Dynacom and their semeiotic inspired concept of information. Originality/value – No one has previously specifically analyzed Nicholas Belkin's concept of information and compared it to a semeiotic ditto.

scholarly journals Framework analysis: a whole paradigm approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Kiernan ◽  
Mick Hill
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Guide ◽  
Abstract Description ◽  
Unique Approach ◽  
Theoretical Reflection

Purpose Students of social research methods in search of a “Haynes manual” type set of instructions are often, if not invariably, thwarted in their ambitions and are either confronted with an abstract description which remains firmly at the level of methodology or, alternatively, an uncritical mechanical template for application. The purpose of this paper is not to rectify these deficits, but rather to make the interplay between epistemological and methodological concerns and those relating to method visible to inspection. Design/methodology/approach To illustrate this interplay, the authors present one example of a piece of applied policy research which employed a process of framework analysis. Findings It is argued that rhetorical transparency in the creation of any qualitative account enhances its authenticity, and in part, this article demonstrates that it remains possible to maintain reflexive awareness of epistemological and methodological concerns whilst at the same time pursuing clear and practical methodical guidelines. Originality/value This article provides unique approach to providing researchers with a practical guide to framework analysis with theoretical reflection on the wider methodological concerns.

The problem of rapid tourism growth – an overview of the strategic question

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo (Don) A.N. Dioko
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Rapid Rate ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Introductory Paper ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Broad Overview

Purpose The purpose of this introductory paper is to provide a broad overview of the significance of this theme issue. Design/methodology/approach The introductory paper draws from macro data of tourism growth in various countries and highlights the rapid rate of tourism growth in many, especially developing countries. The paper ventures the possibility of an anti-tourism wave in many destinations as a result. Findings To prevent tourism from displacing and disrupting the lives of residents in many countries, as well as from diminishing the experience for many visitors, the rate with which tourism grows must be studied and managed. Originality/value The value of this paper is that it highlights the rate of tourism growth and not tourism growth per se as the critical factor in making tourism a positive or negative force for change in many communities.

Exploring AAC graphic symbol choices: a preliminary study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-185
Author(s):  
Eliada Pampoulou ◽  
Donald R. Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Graphic Symbols ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Graphic Symbol

Purpose Graphic symbols have been used widely in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The advancement of technology in recent years has stimulated their development even further, thereby providing speech-language pathologists (SLPs) a wide range of options to choose for the individuals they support. However, existing literature on graphic symbols is scant and clinicians must base their decisions almost solely on clinical judgment. This paper aims to investigate the factors SLPs consider when choosing corpuses of graphic symbols for their clients. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was used that allowed multiple-choice responses. Data were analyzed and presented primarily as percentages. Findings Most respondents used graphic symbols with people having developmental disorders, and the corpuses of symbols they drew upon were based predominantly on availability, characteristics of the individual’s impairment or disability and intelligibility to the user and his or her communication partners. Existing policies related to graphic symbols also influence clinicians’ choices. SLPs search for support mainly from professional associations and training providers. In terms of use with technology, ready-made symbol packages for clinicians to use were found to be attractive. Practical implications Professional associations and institutions that focus on AAC need to provide adequate support to clinicians with a foundation based on evidence-based practice. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research that focuses on current practices concerning the factors SLPs take into consideration when choosing the optimum graphic symbol corpus(es) for their clients.

Divergent attitudes to social media governance

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-37
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Communication ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Promotion Focus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Prevention and promotion foci were both observed among managers and differed per communication model. Managers who used dialogic models of communication were primarily promotion-focused and emphasized opportunities to improve stakeholder relations, while managers who used one-way models were primarily prevention-focused and highlighted the risks of social media (e.g. the risk of employees publishing messages that contradict corporate communication and confuse stakeholders). Social media governance differed depending on regulatory focus. In the prevention scheme, managers usually attempted to regain control by restricting social media to private use only, while in the promotion focus managers trained and facilitated employees for work-related social media use, to various extents. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

scholarly journals The Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication to Support PeopleWith Intellectual Disability

RENOTE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Carniel ◽  
Carla Diacui Medeiros Berkenbrock
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Design Science Research ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
User Adaptation

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a strategy to deal with communication deficiencies. Such deficiencies are presented in people with Intellectual Disability (ID). AAC exploits more than one communication channel to send messages, however it cannot ensure that communication happens. In this paper we develop a prototype of collaborative system to support the communication of people with ID. We employ Design Science Research (DSR) and Participatory Design (PD) to tackle the problem. PD is used in the three design cycles of DSR, which are: knowledge about the user; adaptation of a communication model; and development of screens prototypes. The results are requirements related to communication of people with ID.

Innovating during the pandemic? Policing, domestic abuse and multi-agency risk assessment conferencing (MARACs)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Walklate ◽  
Barry Godfrey ◽  
Jane Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Domestic Abuse ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Foreseeable Future ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Infrastructural Support ◽  
Agency Risk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the challenges posed for the ongoing implementation of multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARACs) for police forces in England and Wales during the 2020 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This is rapid response research involving qualitative methods primarily online semi-structured interviewing with a sample of police domestic abuse leads in England and Wales. Findings The findings point to increased use of virtual platforms particularly for MARACs and that this has beneficial consequences both for the police and in their view also for victim-survivors. Research limitations/implications The findings reported here are from policing domestic abuse leads. More work needs to be done to explore the value of engaging in virtual MARACs for all the agencies concerned but also whether MARACs continue to be the best way to ensure the victim-survivor is kept in view. Practical implications The use of virtual platforms carries a range of practice implications for the future of MARACs for the foreseeable future. These range from ensuring attendance of the appropriate agencies to the range and frequency of meetings, to infrastructural support for all agencies to engage. Originality/value This is an original study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council examining police and court responses to domestic abuse during the covid-19 pandemic.

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