Methods and Measurement in Sexual & Gender Minority Health Research
The NIH Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO) recognizes the growing need to develop better measures and methods to accurately capture and understand the health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. The information provided highlights work within the field of SGM methods and measurement. These resources are not exhaustive. They may be useful for those looking to better understand how to capture SGM populations in research and clinical settings but do not represent standards required by NIH.
Data and Measurement Frameworks
- Data Sources
Access publicly-available, nationally-representative data sources that can be used answer your SGM-related health research questions. - Examples of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Questions
Find previously-used demographic and other questions that capture sexual identity, sexual attraction, sexual behavior, and gender identity. - Publications
Read publications related to SGM measurement research.
Activities and Related Resources
April 2018 Workshop: Methods and Measurement in Sexual & Gender Minority Health Research
Summary of Workshop
In April 2018 the SGMRO hosted a workshop that covered three areas of research: SGM status, related measures, and sampling. The workshop, entitled Methods and Measurement in Sexual & Gender Minority Health Research, was guided by the schema below. For each of these primary topics, experts in the field considered the current state of research and identified a number of research opportunities that, if explored, would advance the field of SGM-related measurement research.
Summary of Comments on Methods & Measurement in Sexual & Gender Minority Health Research (Released September 2019)
Following the April 2018 workshop, to obtain additional comments on the specific components of the Methods & Measurement in Sexual & Gender Minority Health Research: Developing a Research Agenda and Identifying Research Opportunities report for the purposes of informing and enhancing its content, a public notice was published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2019. The deadline for comments was April 15, 2019. Comments received during that period are summarized here.
This page last reviewed on July 1, 2020
Disclaimer
Publications and demographic questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity are included throughout this website. Language related to SGM populations has evolved over time; due to this evolution, some items on this site may contain outdated language.
Inclusion on this website should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by NIH, HHS, or the U.S. Government.