University project on beliefs around gender identity

[PawResearcher]

Hi — I hope it’s okay to post this here.

I'm a student at Durham University, and I would really love to hear your perspectives on the project I'm doing about people’s beliefs on gender identity and what influences them. A couple of years ago, I got some really helpful responses through Mumsnet on a different project. I know this is a great place to go to for some really thoughtful responses.

I’m running a short, anonymous survey, and I’m hoping to hear a wide range of opinions, so all perspectives are welcome.
It takes about 10–15 minutes and does not collect personal information or emails.
If you’d like to take part, here’s the link:
https://forms.gle/NDAsGBgR3hAxYGtc6

I'll come back when I've finished the project and give an update to those interested.

Thank you very much to anyone who participates — your input is really appreciated!

I've done the survey' very thought provoking questions. Can I also say that I'm delighted that this topic is being explored in universities. For too long it's been a no-go areas in academia (or, worse, highly biased). I suspect from your questions that you will be conducting a balanced and objective project - well done you. Looking forward to seeing the results.

I’ve responded too.

Responded.

Why does it need my email address?

It doesn't, unless you want to take part in an interview.

How do I remove it. I see the option to change to another account but not to remove completely.

Thank you op. A very thought provoking survey which I enjoyed filling in.

However for sexual orientation I was very uncomfortable to see that "queer" was an option. I'm sure it's a generational thing but I remember at school a boy came out as gay (he would have been 17/18) and started going clubbing and dating. He enjoyed himself on the whole but one day he confided in me that in the short time he'd been "out" he'd repeatedly been called queer. And do you know the worst thing? I was more angry than he was. He was just resigned to it. I know that's just one example but it's not an isolated one.

I know words change meaning but I haven't seen a single decent explanation as to what "queer " actually means now. My best guesses are straight but wants to seem more interesting or still finding out. I probably would have fitted into the latter category when I was younger but I find the idea of having a label for it ridiculous.

Also (and I'm going to get really nitpicky here ) I don't understand why you started off wording the survey so sensibly and then you asked the question about what makes a man, woman or other gender. Why not sex ?

Log out of your google account or use an incognito browser.

Have responded.

Failed at the first hurdle.

you should first ask “do you consider your self to have a gender identity”

yes/no

not what you asked. Your data will be bad you can’t get anything from this.

I started to complete this but then realised that I couldn't answer the questions without a definition of 'gender'. And as I don't believe that gender is a thing anyway, and I don't have a 'gender identity' only my biological sex and my likes and dislikes I just couldn't proceed.

Advanced search doesn't seem to bring up any posting history... That said, even giving the benefit of the doubt, I won't be completing this.

Firstly, you haven't actually explained or defined what 'gender identity' is. Nor does the survey, at least the first page where you are asking questions relating to it, allow me to explain my understanding of it.

Secondly, the methodology is flawed. There are some serious sampling/selection bias here, on multiple levels. I also question which level of ethics approval this received, I presume a basic level.

Yes, I could have simply closed the tab and not commented, but this is just bad data collection and it should be responded to in some way.

I have similar reservations about posting this survey here with no information about the research project or host academic institution. Unless you set a Microsoft Forms survey up as anonymous it will harvest respondents’ email addresses with their responses. I think MNHQ should be looking at the OP’s post.

Maybe it’s a fresher’s survey? Many undergrads are still pretty green about research sampling and construction, IME.

Still, I agree that definitions need to be carefully defined up front to run a meaningful survey, and this is also (still!) too hot a topic to expect women to offer interviews and contact details to unknown undergrads. Unfortunately the past decade of relentless harassment by trans activists have made a lot of otherwise quite helpful people justifiably wary.

On the content form it states this is a dissertation.

The demographic selection on the first page not only appears to allow under-18s to participate (in which case there should be a definite need for advanced ethics approval, at least back in my day), but also has spelling mistakes!

I wouldn't normally, but in this case I've reported.

I responded I do not have a gender identity to that one

It’s pissing me off that the only protected characteristic under the equality act (well it goes to include pregnancy & maternity) but all relates to the biological sex of women being under attack.

I don’t believe that you can be:

Trans race
Trans disabled
Trans age
Trans marriage
Trans sexual orientation
Trans species

So why do we have trans gender?

We rightly see trans racial identity (Rachel Dolezal) as what it rightly is - plain old racism.

And if a 40 year old man identified as a 15 year old to get back into school we would not affirm his trans age identity. He’s likely a pervert.

What exactly is it about gender identity theory and the erosion of women’s rights & spaces that has become so prevalent and accepted in daily discourse.

Why don’t people see it for what it is - out and out sexism.

As would I but it’s poor survey design , the explicit question should’ve made up front.

Exactly. We should’ve reporting this to the email
in the link and explaining all these. Students should not have been allowed to go ahead with this. They cannot learn anything meaningful.

Under 18s! Blimey, that IS a reason to get research ethics involved.

Yes I know - I’m just a little pleased that a crack of light in the captured institutions might start more research into this total batshittery.

From the survey

For questions, contact the researcher: [email protected]

Supervisor: [email protected]

Worth emailing them directly with feedback?

Hi all,
Just to confirm that this student has made contact with us now through official channels and submitted her ethics document to us. Thanks.

Thank you for following up to check this is legit @HopeMumsnet

Hi everyone,

Thank you to those who’ve taken the time to respond; I really do appreciate it. I want to acknowledge the concerns about some of the wording. I can see how certain phrasing might feel loaded or based on assumptions you don’t share. I genuinely wasn’t trying to frame anything in a particular direction. I spent a long time thinking about the wording, but it’s honestly very difficult to make questions that feel completely neutral to every viewpoint.

You may notice that I haven’t defined certain terms in the survey. This is intentional, as many of these concepts are interpreted differently by different people, and exploring those differing interpretations is actually a core part of the debate. Leaving definitions open allows respondents to answer in a way that reflects their own understanding and experience.

I included questions about gender identity because I can’t properly explore the topic without allowing space for all positions, including those who don't believe in gender identity at all. That is a valid and important response in itself, and it genuinely helps build a complete picture of the range of views out there.

Just to reassure everyone, the study has been fully approved by my university’s ethics committee, and the post was reviewed properly by the Mumsnet moderation team after I posted it.

I’m extremely grateful for all the responses. Many of you have clearly put a great deal of thought and effort into your answers, which will make a significant contribution to my dissertation. Thank you again to everyone who has taken the time to contribute.

You may notice that I haven’t defined certain terms in the survey. This is intentional, as many of these concepts are interpreted differently by different people, and exploring those differing interpretations is actually a core part of the debate. Leaving definitions open allows respondents to answer in a way that reflects their own understanding and experience.

that fudge is exactly why I won’t be participating.