CHARACTERIZATION OF RESEARCH GROUPS FOCUSED ON DISABILITY IN THE AREA OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Objective: To describe the distribution and characteristics of research groups focused on people with disabilities in the area of Physical Education in Brazil, as well as to describe their scientific production. Material and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted through electronic data analysis of the research groups registered in the Research Group Directory (Diretório de Grupos de Pesquisa) of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq). The searches were performed in June and July 2014, and the groups were characterized and further stratified as directly or indirectly related to disability based on their research lines. In the specific research groups, production of the group leaders was analyzed according to the types of disability. Results: A total of 70 research groups were found, of which 38 were included for analysis and 22 were considered to be specific for people with disabilities. Original article was the main form of propagation of information from specific research groups. Physical disabilities was the most frequent topic, totaling 75 publications of original articles, followed by visual impairment. The groups were mostly concentrated in southeastern Brazil (42%). Conclusion: The research groups have mostly addressed motor disabilities, and original article was the main mechanism of disability-targeted groups for dissemination of knowledge. The amount of specific groups was found to be uneven across different regions. DESCRIPTORS: Research Groups. Disabled Persons. Scientific Publication Indicators. Physical Education.