Considerations for writing and including demographic variables in education research

At many points within pharmacy education, we collect demographic information about faculty, staff, students, and trainees. Admissions procedures and surveys, for example, typically categorize participants based on various identities such as race and ethnicity as well as gender and sex. In this article, we interrogate the complex nature of capturing participant identities through demographic variables, using race and ethnicity, gender and sex, sexual orientation and identity, and disability status as specific examples.

Various approaches to defining demographic characteristics can be seen in pharmacy education research. To help readers understand why certain characteristics and categories are commonly utilized, we describe common influences of demographic variables, such as federal laws and professional guidelines. We also review several common demographic variables to illustrate the complexity of this issue.

Seven recommendations for improving demographic data collection and use are provided. Examples include respecting and honoring lived student experiences, defining demographic data more precisely, and channeling institutional resources toward specific student needs.

Collecting demographic information more accurately and thoughtfully could help pharmacy education improve its educational practice and research. The provided recommendations provided will help researchers and educators measure and utilize demographic variables more effectively.