. 2020 Aug 12;9(5):318–323. doi: 10.1007/s40037-020-00602-3

Table 2.

Advantages and disadvantages of various data collection methods

Category type	Advantage(s)	Disadvantage(s)	Example
Multiple-response (exclusive) categories: Multiple options provided; respondent can only select ONE pre-established category [33]	Maintains original unit(s) of analysis Provides more complete and accurate data [34] Aligns data with most statistical analyses [33] Permits respondents to self-report identity and allows researchers to collect rich data [35]	Provides less data per category which increases the risk of error in interpreting outcomes [36] Forces respondents into discrete category that does not allow for fluid or broad self-identification [37]	Respondent must select one option from White, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian
Multiple-response (inclusive) categories: Multiple options provided; respondent can select MULTIPLE options from pre-established categories [33]	Introduces issues related to comparability of samples across multiple data sets [38] Forces researcher to decide how individuals fit into certain categories [37] Counts multiracial respondents as members of each individual racial or ethnic group they select which inflates the number of respondents in denominator [33]	Respondent may select multiple options from White-non-Hispanic, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian
Combined categories^a: Multiple options combined to define new categories	Simplifies statistical analysis, interpretation and presentation of results [39] Increases cell size when discrete categories are too small [40]	Limits conclusions to broad assumptions and generalizations about respondents within groups [41, 42] Perpetuates obsolete majority/minority discourse when using certain binary frameworks (e.g., White/non-White) [34] Uses subjective labels that can perpetuate bias/stereotypes [43] Increases the risk of a false positive result [44] Underestimates the extent of variation between groups by not fully accounting for within group variability [26]	Respondent must select either URiM^b [45] or Non-URiM

Category type

Advantage(s)

Disadvantage(s)

Example

Multiple-response (exclusive)

categories:

Multiple options provided; respondent can only select ONE pre-established category [33]

Maintains original unit(s) of analysis

Provides more complete and accurate data [34]

Aligns data with most statistical analyses [33]

Permits respondents to

self-report identity and

allows researchers to collect rich data [35]

Provides less data per category which increases the risk of error in interpreting outcomes [36]

Forces respondents into discrete category that does not allow for fluid or broad self-identification [37]

Respondent must select one option from White, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian

Multiple-response (inclusive)

categories:

Multiple options provided; respondent can select MULTIPLE options from pre-established categories [33]

Introduces issues related to comparability of samples across multiple data sets [38]

Forces researcher to decide how individuals fit into certain categories [37]

Counts multiracial respondents as members of each individual racial or ethnic group they select which inflates the number of respondents in denominator [33]

Respondent may select multiple options from White-non-Hispanic, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian

Combined categories^a:

Multiple options combined to define new categories

Simplifies statistical analysis, interpretation and presentation of results [39]

Increases cell size when discrete categories are too small [40]

Limits conclusions to broad assumptions and generalizations about respondents within groups [41, 42]

Perpetuates obsolete majority/minority discourse when using certain binary frameworks (e.g., White/non-White) [34]

Uses subjective labels that can perpetuate bias/stereotypes [43]

Increases the risk of a false positive result [44]

Underestimates the extent of variation between groups by not fully accounting for within group variability [26]

Respondent must select either URiM^b [45] or Non-URiM

^aCombined categories also can represent collapsed and dichotomous categories

^bURiM Underrepresented in medicine