Shaping Science for a Healthier World: Sex and Gender Matter

Shaping Science for a
Healthier World:
Sex and Gender Matter
Dr. Cara Tannenbaum
Scientific Director
CIHR Institute of Gender and Health
OSSD Workshop, April 21, 2015
CIHR Policy (2010) – Self-report data
Huntington's Disease Youth Organization - Young adults - Ask a Question
Ask a question for
young adults
Welcome to the young adults area in the 'ask a
Inquestion'
2010, 75%
of Do
researchers
said
section.
you have any questions
NO to
sex and disease
NO tothat
gender
about
Huntington's
you've always
wondered about? Well here's your chance
Johnson
et al. a
PLoS
Oneof
2014
because HDYO has
gathered
panel
Huntington's disease experts to answer any
questions you may have.
Feel free to send any questions you have using
Here’s what some scientists
said:
“Our study will consider sex but not gender. Although
both sexes are affected by bladder cancer, female
mice are used for the proposed bladder cancer studies
because the established bladder cancer models use
female mice… There is no evidence nor rationale for
suspecting that gender might affect results of these in
vitro experiments or animal models.”
Shared with permission, David Evans and Mary Hitt, 2013
GOOD INTENTIONS, POOR EXECUTION
IGH NEW
ONLINE
TRAINING
IN SEX AND
GENDER,
CATERED TO
SCIENTISTS IN
DIFFERENT
DOMAINS OF
RESEARCH
KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS
Preclinical
research
Research
involving
primary
data
collection
with human
participants
Research
utilizing
secondary
data
collected
from human
participants
CORE
COMPENTENCY
# 1:
DISTINGUISH
SEX AND
GENDER IN A
HEALTH
RESEARCH
CONTEXT.
APPLY THE
TERMS
CORRECTLY.
CORE COMPETENCY #2: Recognize
when/why/how sex and gender are
relevant considerations to include in
research.
LITERATURE REVIEW and
RESEARCH QUESTION
STUDY DESIGN ELEMENTS
ANALYSIS and REPORTING
WHAT IS YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION?
 Are you interested in identifying sex differences in the
condition/disease/phenomenon under study?
 Are you trying to show that the
condition/disease/phenomenon is similar for both sexes
(i.e. sex/gender do not make a difference)?
 Are you looking to explain sex/gender differences (i.e. what
is the mechanism underlying these differences)?
 Are there experimental conditions related to sex or gender
that need to be considered that might alter the study results
(confounders or interactions)?
THE HOW:
STUDY DESIGN ELEMENTS, ANALYSIS & REPORTING
 Are both male and female animals/cells/tissues or equal
numbers of men and women being included? Is a scientifically
sound justification provided for this choice?
 Do the data collection methods account for sex (i.e. influence of
sex hormones) or gender (i.e. questionnaires/variables that take
into consideration context/environment, social roles or
identities)
 Is there an analysis plan in place and sufficient sample size to
answer your research question as it relates to sex or gender?
 Will the results be reported in a way that showcases differences
due to sex or gender? Reporting null findings is equally
important, in a way that allows inclusion in meta-analysis.
CORE
COMPETENCY
# 3:
Descriptor
Abbreviation Definition
O++
ASSESS THE
RESEARCH ON
THE BASIS OF
ITS
INTEGRATION
(OR OMISSION)
OF SEX AND
GENDER.
Outstanding
O+
O
E++
Excellent
E+
E
Good
G
Fair
F
Poor
P
The application excels in most or all
relevant aspects. Any short-comings are
minimal.
The application excels in many relevant
aspects, and reasonably addresses all
others. Certain improvements are
possible.
The application excels in some relevant
aspects, and reasonably addresses all
others. Some improvements are
necessary.
The application broadly addresses all
relevant aspects. Major revisions are
required.
The application fails to provide
convincing information and/or has
serious inherent flaws or gaps.
WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES
FOR INTEGRATING SEX AND GENDER INTO
YOUR RESEARCH?
Preclinical
research
Research
involving
primary
data
collection
with human
participants
Research
utilizing
secondary
data
collected
from human
participants
LEARN MORE ABOUT IGH and OUR
TRAINING PROGRAMS:www.cihrirsc.gc.ca/shapingscience.html
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