Judy,
Why is it necessary to your research to know what gender category the
respondent identifies with? Are you simply including the information because
it is part of the "standard" protocol of categories to request when looking
for patterns in the data? Does your hypothesis deal with gender in any way?
We perpetuate categories by using them.
However, if you need to use it why not try using a continuum -- a line with
male at one pole and female at the other pole and ask people to put an x on
the line where they feel they belong. You could carry this through on other
questions, so the idea of a continuum or spectrum becomes part of the
research design.
Lilah
-----Original Message-----
From: Judy Singer <[log in to unmask]>
To: Disability Research <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, September 04, 2000 11:24 PM
Subject: Intersex research dilemma
>I've just started a research project on the issues of people who were
>brought up by parents on the Autistic Spectrum. The condition of "being"
>"on a spectrum" as opposed to "having" a discrete disability is my area of
>interest, and what drew me to the phenomenon of intersex and its similar
>issues.
>
>Having embraced this new cause with such enthusiasm, I rapidly found myself
>at Ques 2 on my questionnaire: Sex (M/F)?
>
>In all conscience, I now have to make that (M/F/I)
>
>But it opens a can of worms, including the fact that the people I am
>interviewing have never heard of the the issue, and I know some will be put
>off and alienated.
>Taking the time to explain, however, will make the questionnaire seem
>over-wordy and daunting.
>
>Still, I think I'll add the new category - maybe raise the issue separately
>first via my elist.
>
>Has anyone given this any thought?
>
>Judy Singer
>
>
>
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