Inclusion by design a-neuro-cognitive trait interaction approach-to neurodivergent research

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Dark, J. (2025). Inclusion by design a-neuro-cognitive trait interaction approach-to neurodivergent research. Methodological Innovations, 18(4), 253-263. https://doi.org/10.1177/20597991251396144

Journal or book title
Methodological Innovations
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Volume
18
Issue
4
Pages
253-263
Publication date: 1 Dec 2025 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)
  1. Jessica Dark *

Abstract

This article introduces an original methodological contribution to inclusive research design: the Neuro-Cognitive Trait Interaction Model (NCTIM). Developed to address the exclusion and misunderstanding of neurodivergent people in traditional research, NCTIM provides a flexible, values-based framework that centres lived experience. Building on earlier work on neuro-cognitive trait interaction and inclusive research methods, NCTIM encourages researchers to respond to how neurodivergent people process information, interact, and communicate, rather than relying on diagnostic labels. Grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm and informed by epistemic justice, NCTIM focuses on how cognitive processing traits such as communication preferences, executive functioning, sensory processing, and attention styles shape research participation. It follows a three-stage process: mapping study demands, identifying potential trait interactions, and embedding inclusive features. The model’s application is demonstrated through my doctoral research with autistic women in the workplace. NCTIM offers a timely, neurodivergent-led contribution to reimagining research design, supporting greater inclusion, authenticity, and respect for neurodivergent expression and engagement in research.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 16:58.

Cited references
38
With a DOI
28
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
10
10 / 38 (26.3%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
3 / 38 (7.9%)
References with detected author names
35 / 38 (92.1%)
Without detected author names
3
Without a structured title
3
Without a stable identifier
9
References with raw author names still to review
3
References with external metadata lookup issues
1
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
106
From DOI or external metadata
106
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
3
55 / 106 (51.9%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 51 / 106 (48.1%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
30 / 106 (28.3%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 30 / 55 (54.5%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 25 / 97 (25.8%).
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