Research Questions

I am getting really confused in framing these questions. Since my entire research is psychology-led I plan on taking interviews which will be unstructured so that it flows as a conversation. The basic layout is as follows but it will keep changing according to the person I am interviewing-

1.     How does the relationship affect the ‘normal’ sibling’s behavior?

Sibling

·       What was your reaction when your parents told you that your sibling is different?

·       What are your earliest memories of your sibling?

·       What were your friends’ reactions and how did it affect you?

·       What sort of quality time do you spend with your sibling? What are your responsibilities?

·       How has having a sibling born with DS changed your life? How different do you think your life would have been without your sibling with DS, or if they were “normal”?

·       Did you ever feel that your parent’s attention got divided unjustly?

·       Where do you see your family 10 years from now?

Parents

·       What are the responsibilities given to your normal child regarding the special child? What are your expectations out of them?

2.     How does the relationship affect the special child?

Parents

·       How does the interaction benefit the special child?

·       How do you feel the existence of your normal child has helped in the development of the special child?

3.     How do the differences in ability affect the relationship?

Sibling

·       When did you first start noticing the differences in abilities and how did you parents explain it to you?

·       In what situations do you have to explain it to your sibling that there are some things you are permitted and they are not?

Parents

·       How are the differences in the abilities of the 2 explained to the special child?

4.     How do the genders and age of the 2 siblings affect the relationship?

Sibling

·       Does your gender make it easier or harder for you to tackle different situations at home?

·       Does the age make a difference in the acceptance of your authority?

Parents

·       Do you feel that your special child accepts your normal child’s authority because of his gender?