PD26-09 Navigating Sex and Gender in Educational Research: A Guide to Inclusive Language and Data Collection

Session Type: Professional Development Course

Abstract

This course offers practical tools for minimizing harm and improving research quality by refining the use of sex and gender terminology. Participants will explore the ethical, methodological, and theoretical implications of imprecise language and flawed data collection practices that can misrepresent LGBTQ+ identities, perpetuate exclusion, and lead to unreliable findings. Through breakout discussions, self-reflections, survey design exercises, and writing critiques, supported by a comprehensive slide deck and workbook, this course will guide attendees in distinguishing between sex and gender, identifying common conflations, applying best practices in data collection, and crafting inclusive survey questions and research writing. Through the lens of theoretical frameworks such as queer theory, participants will also examine the impact of language on marginalized communities. Designed for a wide audience, from graduate students to experienced researchers, this course requires no prior experience beyond an open mind.

Sub Unit

• Professional Development and Training Committee

Instructors

• Kaley Mumma, Purdue University

• Tiffany A. Marzolino, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Neil A. Knobloch, Purdue University