Childhood Visual Impairment: Perspectives on Research Design and Methodology

Abstract

Research methodology is discussed in the context of the nature of the knowledge that is needed about visually impaired children. Traditional “average-oriented” research designs are criticized, as are designs which compare visually impaired and sighted subjects. Emphasis is instead placed on multivariate designs, oriented to individual differences. A “hierarchical” research model is proposed for future research, involving integration of etiological, evaluative, and functional levels. Finally, the argument is made for the need for an intensive longitudinal developmental study of visually impaired children.