AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

Chapter 4
Data Interpretation
4.1. Introduction
This chapter will present my analysis of the data based on the methods outlined in the
previous chapter and summarised in Figure C. I will describe the characteristics of the
nine categories that were identified accompanied by extended excerpts of data. I use
my interpretation of the data to begin to address the four research questions as
follows:
1. To investigate the self-reported experiences of the accessibility of the internet and
online social media by people who use AAC
2. To investigate the self-reported use of the internet and online social media by
people who use AAC
3. To explore the perceived role of the internet and online social media for selfrepresentation
4. To establish how online social media is perceived in terms of social ties for people
who use AAC
The nine categories are: (core category in bold)
1. Desire to use the internet and online social media
2. Reported use of the internet and online social media
3. Describing support
4. Online challenges
5. Access technology
6. VOCA issues
7. Self-determination
8. Self-representation
9. Online social ties
Using the theoretical coding as described in the previous chapter (section 3.6.3.5.), I
interpreted the desire to use the internet and online social media as pervading all the
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