Welcome
Thank you for visiting the guide for researching LGBTQIA+ populations. As the title suggests, this guide is meant to support researchers and those working with LGBTQIA+ populations. If you are looking for resources for LGBTQIA+ folks available at UIC, we suggest you take a look at the Gender and Sexuality Cultural Center. There is also a small section at the bottom of this page with links to a few important LGBTQIA+ resources on the UIC campus.
While we strive to keep this guide up to date, we recognize the LGBTQIA+ population is dynamic and changes quickly. If you see anything that needs updating or you know of a resource we might include, please get in touch with either Holly Hudson (hhudson@uic.edu) or Ben Aldred (baldred2@uic.edu).
The Ethics of Research with Vulnerable Populations
Note: This page was created with the assistance of Boyd Bellinger. We thank him for his expertise.
Research with LGBTQIA+ populations requires an elevated standard of care and protection. LGBTQIA+ populations may be exposed to a number of different vulnerabilities in the case of public exposure, including legal, occupational, educational and personal risks depending on location or community. These potential vulnerabilities call for heightened attention to the needs of the population being researched.
Several topics that require heightened attention:
- Increased need for confidentiality and anonymity
- Heightened attention to terminology and language in recruitment and description
- Recognition of intersectional issues with minoritized and indigenous populations
- Prioritizing safety of minor participants
Linked below are several guides that outline some of the specific population concerns that can guide the researcher in their approach to research with LGBTQIA+ populations.
- Ethical Research Guide from LGBT Foundation(pdf)The Ethical Research Guide from the LGBT foundation is a good starting point and is designed for both new researchers and experienced researchers.
- Research Ethics with Gender and Sexually Diverse PersonsResearch Ethics with Gender and Sexually Diverse Persons is aimed at experienced researchers and emerged from the Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles.
- A scoping review of good methodological practices in research involving transgender, non-binary, and two-spirit youthA Scoping Review of Good Methodological Practices in Research Involving Transgender, Non-binary, and Two-spirit Youth explores how some of the relevant principles have been put into practice in research.
Basic Search Terms
Here is a research guide from the Library of Congress. It includes links you can use to browse the Library of Congress catalog for materials associated with gender- and sexuality-related subject headings.
Here are some basic search terms to help you start your research on LGBTQIA+ Populations. Please note this is a non-exhaustive list and is not formatted with syntax for any specific database. To learn more about advanced searching techniques, click here
- LGBT
- LGBTQ
- LGBTQIA+
- GLBT
- Gay
- Lesbian
- Bisexual
- Transgender
- Queer
- Intersex
- Nonbinary
- Asexual
Click here for a 2016 systematic review discussing the state of LGBTQIA+ systematic review search strategies. This article contains an extensive search string of LGBTQIA+ keywords
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LGBTQIA+ @ UIC
While this guide is geared toward research and researchers, we also wanted to share a few important LGBTQIA+ resources available on the UIC campus. This is in no way a complete list and for more information, we encourage you to visit the Gender and Sexuality Center, linked below
- Gender and Sexuality CenterThe UIC Gender and Sexuality Center is one of several cultural centers on the main UIC campus focused on creating inclusive spaces for minoritized individuals.
- All Gender Restroom MapMap locating all gender restrooms on both the UIC West and East campuses
- Office for Access and Equity: General ReportThe Office of Access and Equity is responsible for handling any discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct claims as well as other Title IX matters. If you have experienced any of the above, we encourage you to fill out a report