JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Searching for Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Non-binary (2STGNB) articles within large academic databases can be a challenging process, partly due to the dynamic and diverse definitions of words and terminologies used by multiple interest holders. Search hedges are pre-established search strings that aid in the efficacy of identifying and screening relevant articles. A validated search hedge focused on 2STGNB people and topics will aid in identifying relevant literature.

Objective:

To develop and validate the sensitivity and precision of an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural 2STGNB search hedge.

Methods:

A random sample of the results retrieved from Ovid MEDLINE and APA PsycInfo using the 2STGNB search hedge will be independently screened by at least two reviewers. In the Title and Abstract Screening stage, references will be excluded if they (1) employ solely binary terminology to describe gender, (2) focus on psychometric measurement of gender, and/or (3) focus on Intersex or Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) topics. References will be included if they (1) report on Two-Spirit, Transgendner and/or Non-binary people in their sample; or (2) specifically discuss 2STGNB communities; and/or 2STGNB-related topics. References without an abstract will be categorized as No Abstract. References where the 2STGNB population is unclear will be categorized as LGB maybe T or Mixed-Topic. Only references in the No Abstract, LGB maybe T and Mixed-Topic category will proceed to the Full-Text Screening phase. In the Full-Text Screening phase, references will be categorized as include if they (1) clearly distinguish between sexual orientation and gender identity; (2) mention and/or discuss 2STGNB topics or experiences in the Method and/or Results section; (3) communicate consideration for participants’ own gender self-identification and experiences; and/or (4) consider 2STGNB population as a distinct subpopulation.

Results:

A search was performed using the finalized search hedge on May 31, 2024, yielding 30,204 references from Ovid MEDLINE and 26,865 references from APA PsycInfo. A randomized sample of the results will be screened to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the search hedge. Validation and data analysis are projected to be finished by August 2025.

Conclusions:

Rigorous and transparent knowledge synthesis processes, starting with a high-quality search hedge, can help to inform and equip community members, clinicians, policymakers, and other key decision-makers, with scientifically sound evidence.