13. Overcoming Barriers to Knowledge Production in Transgender IPV Research

Abstract

The quality of research methodology is unquestionably at the heart of the accuracy and utility of empirical data on transgender intimate partner violence (T-IPV). Unfortunately, T-IPV scholars must contend with a host of unique methodological challenges, including defining the population, nonprobability and probability sampling with transgender populations, IPV measure diagnostic testing on transgender samples, and inclusivity of distinct T-IPV tactics in IPV survey measures. Unlike with the more extensive and established cisgender IPV literature, the smaller and newer T-IPV literature lacks widespread agreement among scholars on the best practices needed to overcome these methodological challenges. This chapter provides an overview of these issues and, by drawing on innovative solutions from the T-IPV and broader lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer IPV literature, offers tips on overcoming these methodological challenges going forward.

Violence against transgender people in the United States: Field growth, data dilemmas, and knowledge gaps

“…This should include questions about different types of violence including various forms of physical assault, IPV, and sexual assault and distinguishing between harassment and violence. Moreover, studies of violence against transgender people should consider asking about both current gender identity and gender identity at the time of the violence, since gender identity can change over time (Yerke & DeFeo, 2020).…”

“…Prior to 2015, the survey asked respondents “What is your gender?” with “female,” “male,” and “transgender” as answer options. Many transgender people identify as a female/woman or male/man and do not select “transgender” when asked to choose between female, male, and transgender (Schilt & Bratter, 2015; Yerke & DeFeo, 2020). Thus, it is unclear which transgender people are represented as “transgender” in studies based on such data, and whether they may be at different risk for various forms of violence as compared to transgender respondents who select “female” or “male.” In 2015, the NCHA revised the gender measurements and began using a set of three questions.…”