Complex Identities: Writing and Using Identity Demographic Questions

Abstract

Examining educational quality and student or staff experiences within an institution means we must look at subgroups in the data we collect. Some defining characteristics of the respondent experience can be relatively easy to capture in a survey question, but others, particularly questions about identity, can be a challenge. Often the goals of good survey practice contrast with the variable and complex nature of identity. This session will first focus on how to balance the competing needs of creating clear, concise, and easily answerable questions on aspects of identity that are sensitive, complex, and not easily defined. We will also examine strategies for using and sharing the data and results gathered from complex identity questions. We will look at a variety of examples and scenarios, and participants should prepare to share and discuss their specific population challenges as well as any advice for working with complex identity demographics.