Overlooked: Bisexual Identity in the Family Landscape

Photo with soft gradients of blues and purples and abstract shapes symbolizing connection, relationships, and data.

Want hands-on research experience with real data on relationships, health, and stigma? Work with us to explore the hidden experiences of those who identify as bisexual and their romantic partners. 

Project description

This project examines how bisexual individuals and their partners experience romantic relationships, health, stigma, and public perceptions. Despite those who identify as bisexual representing the largest subgroup within the LGBTQ+ population, they remain significantly underrepresented in family and sexuality research. Your work will contribute to a multi-method project that includes survey development, coding of an experimental survey, and thematic analysis of qualitative responses. You will work closely with a faculty mentor and an advanced PhD student, gaining hands-on research experience in a supportive and collaborative team environment.

Student Responsibilities:

  1. Assist with survey design and testing (Qualtrics)
  2. Clean, code, and document quantitative survey data
  3. Conduct coding and reliability checks for a survey experiment
  4. Thematically code qualitative responses
  5. Participate in team meetings to interpret findings
  6. Co-develop an extended abstract and a poster/presentation for NCFR, ASA, or similar conferences

Project outcome

By the end of the project, the student will produce a research poster and extended abstract. The poster will be suitable for presentation at UB’s Undergraduate Research Conference, the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), or the American Sociological Association (ASA). 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Longer than a semester (about 6-9 months)
Start time Winter, Spring
In-person, remote, or hybrid? Hybrid
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students)
Benefits

Stipend

Academic Credit
Who is eligible All undergraduate students that have taken SOC 293 and SOC 294

Core partners

  • PhD student and faculty within the lab

Project mentor

Ashley Barr

Associate Professor

Sociology

Phone: (716) 645-8453

Email: abbarr@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

Successfully complete the proper CITI training, which includes the two courses listed for Social/Behavioral/Education Research here:

Keywords

sociology, sexuality, gender, family, relationships, discrimination, survey, experiment, coding, data, quantitative, qualitative