Exploring the general trends in disability research: concepts and methods

Disability Studies constitute a matrix of theories, pedagogies, and practices. Over the years, Disability Studies have undergone a series of adjustments in terms of definition, research output, methods, concepts, and theories. How disability is conceptualized not only differs across countries but also within a country with evolving legal, political, and social discourses. In this article, semi-systematic literature review is used to give a general historical overview of some of the trends in disability research. A thematic analysis found some common themes that define trends in disability research, including the definition and theoretical models of disability, disability language, methods and approaches to disability research, sources of data, disability research output, transdisciplinarity and heterogeneity in disability research, research funding, and the controversy surrounding the question: by whom, with whom and for whom should disability research be conducted? A brief discussion on the emerging trends is presented.