Understanding reproductive health behaviors through indirect survey methods

Evaluating indirect survey question methods on reproductive health behavior

NIH-funded research Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10810569

This study is looking at new ways to ask questions about reproductive health, especially around abortion, to better understand the experiences and feelings of people seeking abortions, and it’s for anyone interested in how different laws affect these choices.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (College Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-10810569 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how indirect survey question methods can provide insights into reproductive health behaviors, particularly regarding abortion. By using techniques like the Item Count Technique (ICT) and the Item Sum Technique (IST), the study aims to gather more accurate data on the characteristics and attitudes of individuals seeking abortions. The research will analyze data from nine states with varying abortion policies to assess the validity of these indirect methods compared to existing statistics. This approach seeks to overcome the limitations of direct survey questions, which often fail to capture the complexities of reproductive health decisions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have sought or are considering abortion services, particularly in states with varying levels of access.

Not a fit: Patients who have not engaged with reproductive health services or who reside in areas with consistent access to abortion services may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate data on reproductive health behaviors, informing policies and improving access to care.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that indirect survey methods can yield more reliable data in sensitive health topics, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

College Park, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.