Understanding reproductive health behaviors through indirect survey methods
Official title: Evaluating indirect survey question methods on reproductive health behavior
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10810569 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 26, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $451,358 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD111912-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810569 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have sought or are considering abortion services, particularly in states with varying levels of access.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jackson, Heide Marie — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Jackson, Heide Marie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.