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Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research
Demographic data collection is essential in education research, as demographic data allows researchers to better describe the participant population they study and to contextualize findings. However, current research practices for neurodiversity demographics often rely on prescriptive methods (e.g., requiring participants to report official diagnoses) rather than allowing participants to self-identify. This approach can: a) not allow participants to express their intersecting identities in ways that are authentic; and b) limit trustworthiness and reliability of the data and interpretation. In addition, inconsistent dissemination and representation of demographic data across studies hinder the accessibility and usability of this work. Through a literature review of neurodivergent student experiences with learning and performing STEM, we identified widespread discrepancies in how demographic information is collected and reported. This paper explores how neurodivergent identities can be more accurately and inclusively represented in education research. We present findings of a thematic analysis on the ways neurodivergent demographic data collection is done in the literature using data from a systematic literature review on neurodivergent science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning and performance. We call on the PER community to contribute to the development of a framework that centers participant autonomy while supporting clarity, consistency, and future research use.
Physics Education Research Conference 2025
Part of the PER Conference series Washington, DC: August 6-7, 2025 Pages 300-307
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<a href="https://www.per-central.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=17157">Moenter, M, G. Keefe, L. McDermott, and E. Scanlon. "Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2025, Washington, DC, August 6-7, 2025.</a>
M. Moenter, G. Keefe, L. McDermott, and E. Scanlon, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2025, Washington, DC, 2025, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17157&DocID=6085).
M. Moenter, G. Keefe, L. McDermott, and E. Scanlon, Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2025, Washington, DC, 2025, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17157&DocID=6085>.
Moenter, M., Keefe, G., McDermott, L., & Scanlon, E. (2025, August 6-7). Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2025, Washington, DC. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17157&DocID=6085
Moenter, M, G. Keefe, L. McDermott, and E. Scanlon. "Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2025, Washington, DC, August 6-7, 2025. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17157&DocID=6085 (accessed 11 February 2026).
Moenter, Mason D., George R. Keefe, Liam G. E. McDermott, and Erin Scanlon. "Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research." Physics Education Research Conference 2025. Washington, DC: 2025. 300-307 of PER Conference. 11 Feb. 2026 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17157&DocID=6085>.
@inproceedings{
Author = "Mason D. Moenter and George R. Keefe and Liam G. E. McDermott and Erin Scanlon",
Title = {Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research},
BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2025},
Pages = {300-307},
Address = {Washington, DC},
Series = {PER Conference},
Month = {August 6-7},
Year = {2025}
}
%A Mason D. Moenter %A George R. Keefe %A Liam G. E. McDermott %A Erin Scanlon %T Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research %S PER Conference %D August 6-7 2025 %P 300-307 %C Washington, DC %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17157&DocID=6085 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2025 %O August 6-7 %O application/pdf %0 Conference Proceedings %A Moenter, Mason D. %A Keefe, George R. %A McDermott, Liam G. E. %A Scanlon, Erin %D August 6-7 2025 %T Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research %B Physics Education Research Conference 2025 %C Washington, DC %P 300-307 %S PER Conference %8 August 6-7 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17157&DocID=6085 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The AJP/PRST-PER presented is based on the AIP Style with the addition of journal article titles and conference proceeding article titles. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. Power, Prescription, and Postpositivism: Considerations for collecting and representing neurodiversity demographic information in physics education research:Know of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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