Survey Data Collection

Theses survey questions are how we recommend collecting data where researchers would like to know the gender identity or sexual orientation/identity of their participants. Response options are listed in alphabetical order to make sure students who don't identify with the majority do not feel othered; additionally, reading through the list to find the participant's identity helps to educate them on the existence of additional identities.

  1. Gender Identity *
    What is your current gender identity? (Select all that apply)
    1. Woman/Female
    2. Man/Male
    3. Transgender
    4. Transgender Woman/Female
    5. Transgender Man/Male
    6. Two- Spirit
      (a term used by some American Indian/and Alaska Native individuals)
    7. Genderqueer
    8. Non-Binary
    9. Agender
    10. Gender Fluid/Diverse
    11. Questioning/Unsure
    12. Use another term (specify): __________
    13. Don’t understand the question
    14. Prefer not to answer

    What sex were you assigned at birth (i.e., what would be listed on your original birth certificate)? (Select one)
    1. Woman/Female
    2. Man/Male
    3. Transgender
    4. Female
    5. Male
    6. My sex was not listed on my original birth certificate
    7. I'm not sure
    8. Prefer not to answer

  2. Sexuality *
    Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation or sexual identity? (Select all that apply)
    1. Lesbian
    2. Gay
    3. Straight/Heterosexual
    4. Bisexual
    5. Two- Spirit
      (a term used by some American Indians and Alaska Native individuals)
    6. Same Gender Loving
      (a term used by some Black or African American individuals)
    7. Asexual
    8. Pansexual
    9. Queer
    10. Questioning/Unsure
    11. Use another term (specify): ________________
    12. Don’t understand the question
    13. Another Orientation (please specify) __________
    14. Prefer not to answer

  3. Sexual Health *
    What is/are the gender(s) of your sexual partner(s) in the past 3 years? (select all that apply)
    1. I haven't had any sexual partners in the last 3 years
    2. Woman/Female
    3. Man/Male
    4. Transgender
    5. Transgender Woman/Female
    6. Transgender Man/Male
    7. Two- Spirit
      (a term used by some American Indian/and Alaska Native individuals)
    8. Genderqueer
    9. Non-Binary
    10. Agender
    11. Gender Fluid/DiverseQuestioning/Unsure
    12. Use another term (specify): __________
    13. Don’t understand the question
    14. Prefer not to answer

  4. Race/Ethnicity (select all that apply)
    1. White / Euro-American (Non-Hispanic)
    2. Black / Afro-Caribbean / African American
    3. Latino / Hispanic American
    4. Asian / Asian American
    5. South Asian / South Asian American
    6. Pacific Islander / Native Hawai'ian
    7. Middle Eastern / Arab American
    8. Native American / Alaskan Native
    9. Another Identity (please specify) __________________
    10. Prefer not to answer

* Adapted from California Department of Public Health: Best Practices Guidance for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection