Use SPIDER to structure inclusion criteria and search strings for a qualitative evidence synthesis of AAC in education¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The protocol operationalises its scope with the SPIDER tool (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type). It states: "Guided by the SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type) tool, the search string for the databases was developed in conjunction with the University of Limerick's Health Research Methods Librarian". Sample is school children aged 3–18 who use AAC plus parents, educators and healthcare professionals; phenomenon of interest is stakeholder experiences of AAC use in school; design covers qualitative and mixed-methods studies including theses. This offers a replicable recipe for scoping qualitative syntheses in educational assistive-technology topics.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Collaboration with a research methods librarian to develop and document database search strings
• Explicit SPIDER-defined inclusion criteria covering sample, phenomenon, design, evaluation and research type

Constraints¶

• Search restricted to English-language publications from 01 June 1994 to present; a reviewer questions whether 1994, tied to the Salamanca Statement, is the most relevant start date given many AAC users are educated in special rather than inclusive settings

Target Learners¶

• School children aged 3–18 years who use AAC
• Educators, special needs assistants and speech and language therapists

Target Learning Goals¶

• Identifying factors that influence and support AAC implementation in education settings

Related Strategies¶

• Appraise qualitative studies with CASP and grade synthesis confidence with GRADE-CERQual, without excluding studies on quality grounds
• Combine inductive content analysis with deductive NPT-domain coding, supported by reflexive journalling and peer supervision
• Use the Mentefacto Map to define keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria in systematic reviews

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Byrnes C, Moran G, Clarke MT, Caron J, Smith EM, Galvin R, Gallagher AL. (2026). Experiences of Augmentative and Alternative Communication use in School: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol. HRB Open Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13550906/