| Sumario: | Background: Evidence is needed about the practicalities of how researchers support people with intellectual disabilities and communication support needs to facilitate their choice to participate in research. What are the elements of effective support from researchers that build on trusted relationships between the person and supporters for that decision? Method: The article applies an analytical framework about effective support for decision making to qualitative data about researchers' support for choices to participate in three ethnographic case studies. Results: The analysis found researchers became supporters in the person's decision making by directly supporting the person and engaging with their supporters in ways that prioritised the person's rights. Conclusion: The analysis extends the framework by finding that when researchers position themselves as supporters, they can leverage trusted relationships and demonstrate to facilitate the person's right to choose whether to participate in research, representing a methodological and ethical advance for inclusive research practice. Summary: People with intellectual disabilities and communication support needs often rely on trusted relationships to help them make decisions, including whether to take part in research.Researchers can play a key role in supporting these decisions, but little is known about how they practically do this when they engage with the person and their supporters.This study looked at three examples for decision making support to understand how researchers can involve people with communication support needs.The study found that researchers can position themselves as part of a team of supporters, working closely with others to help people with communication support needs make informed choices about participating in research and model good practice to supporters.
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