Inclusive fNIRS research begins before recruitment or data collection. Study-design decisions can unintentionally create barriers if they do not account for participant needs, community context, scheduling constraints, accessibility, preparation time, and the practical realities of fNIRS setup.
This stage focuses on planning studies that are feasible, respectful, and scientifically robust across diverse participant groups.
What this stage covers
- Participant-informed and community-engaged study design
- Early planning for team capacity and training needs
- Accessible participant-facing materials
- Flexible scheduling and accessible study locations
- Transportation, parking, childcare, and other logistical barriers
- Pre-visit surveys for head size, hair characteristics, scalp sensitivity, and participant preferences
- Hair-aware planning, including setup time and participant comfort
- Pilot testing with diverse participants or diverse mannequin models
Resources
- Accessible study-materials guidance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12448064/
- Autistica research toolkit, information sheets for autism-inclusive research: https://www.autistica.org.uk/our-research/research-toolkit/info-sheet
- Inclusive Neuro website, resources for inclusive EEG and related neuroimaging methods: https://www.inclusiveneuro.com/
Suggested additions
We welcome examples of pre-visit surveys, recruitment planning templates, accessible consent materials, community-engagement models, and study-design checklists relevant to inclusive fNIRS research.
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