Introduction to Consensus Building and Survey Process

Purpose

This survey aims to gather expert consensus on the standards and competencies necessary for conducting trauma-informed research with trans and nonbinary communities, particularly in the context of HIV stigma and sexual health research. The survey will evaluate various aspects of trauma-informed research based on the information and suggestions participants provided during our Phase 1 interviews, with the goal of developing a consensus on best practices. Your feedback will help refine these standards for broader application in research methodologies.

Participation

To come to a consensus, you will be invited to take this survey 3 times, once today and then once again after each of two more rounds of item refinement (see details on survey rounds below). Your participation is completely voluntary, and at any time you can choose to close out of the survey. In each round, you will be asked to rate a series of items on a 5-point scale, indicating whether the item should be included in the final set of research recommendations. Based on your responses we will use the following guidelines to determine which items to include in the final set of recommendations.

Survey Sections

The survey is broken up into three sections:

1) Trauma-Informed Principles for Research Practice provide essential guidelines to ensure that research activities are carried out in a way that recognizes and respects the profound effects of trauma on individuals and communities. These principles aim to reduce the risk of re-traumatization, uphold the safety, dignity, and well-being of all participants, and foster a research environment that is both ethical and supportive. Drawing from Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) frameworks, these principles apply TIC concepts directly to research settings, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and ethical conduct when engaging with participants who may have experienced trauma. Incorporating these principles not only protects participants but also enhances the overall quality and validity of the data collected, especially in studies focused on stigma and vulnerable populations.

2) Trauma-Informed Research Standards serve as ethical and methodological guidelines that integrate an understanding of trauma into all stages of the research process. These standards are designed to ensure that research is conducted with sensitivity to the experiences and needs of individuals and communities affected by trauma, while maintaining ethical rigor and safeguarding participant well-being. By adhering to these trauma-informed standards, researchers can foster ethical practices that account for the complexities of trauma, ensuring that participants' safety and dignity are prioritized.

3) Trauma-Informed Research Competencies encompass the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes that researchers must cultivate to conduct trauma-informed research effectively. These competencies enable researchers to engage with participants in ways that are sensitive to the impact of trauma, prioritize participant safety, and uphold ethical, respectful practices throughout the research process. By developing these competencies, researchers are better prepared to conduct research that is compassionate, ethical, and mindful of the experiences of trauma survivors, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for both participants and the research itself.

Survey Rounds

After completing each survey, you will receive a $40 online gift card of your choice.

  • Round 1: The round 1 survey will include all the items our study team created. At the end of Round 1, you will be asked to provide feedback on how we can improve the wording and if you have any suggestions for new items. After Round 1, the study team will analyze your survey responses and edit existing or create new items based on your feedback to be included in the Round 2 survey.

  • Round 2: In the Round 2 survey, you will be asked to rerate items that did not receive 80-100% endorsement and rate new items created based on your suggestions in the Round 1 survey.

  • Round 3: In Round 3, you will be asked to rerate any new items added during Round 2 and items that did not receive 80-100% endorsement.

Final Guideline Development: At the end of Round 3, the research team will create a comprehensive document based on the endorsed items to be widely disseminated. Once the document is complete, you will be invited to attend a webinar where we will present the outcomes of this process and discuss the goals and next steps for dissemination and guideline implementation.