Evaluating Person-Oriented Measures to Understand Sexuality with Cerebral Palsy: Procedures and Applications

This paper is based on a research which explored sexual scripts in the lives of people with cerebral palsy. To assess the utility of the study protocol, aimed at exploring the relative salience of public, interactional and private sexual scripts as described by people with cerebral palsy, a pilot study was conducted. This paper discusses the development and results of the pilot study used to test the accessibility and trustworthiness (credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability) of the study protocol. This paper also outlines the utilization of the pilot study in the modification of the final study protocol. Consistent with the aims of the pilot study networks were established which facilitated recruitment of individuals within the sampling frame and also provided participants for the main study. The trustworthiness of the study was confirmed through an assessment of the credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability of the interview guide. Transferability was achieved through the provision of evidence of the analytic process which may allow other researchers to repeat, as closely as possible the procedures of this project. Dependability and confirmability of the data collection, analysis, theory production and the level to which the study’s findings are supported by the collected data were ensured through the employment of an independent audit of the research methods by a competent peer. The pilot study confirmed the availability of participant networks as well as the accessibility and trustworthiness of the study protocol. Pilot studies continue to be a medium to test research methodology and apply necessary amendments in order to conduct larger studies.