Testing the effectiveness of interactive training on sexual harassment and assault in field science [Registered Report Stage 1 protocol]

Abstract:

 
Fieldwork is a critical tool for scientific research, particularly in applied disciplines. Yet fieldwork is often unsafe, particularly for members of historically marginalized groups and those whose presence in scientific spaces threatens traditional hierarchies of power, authority, and legitimacy. Research is needed to identify interventions that prevent sexual harassment and assault from occurring in the first place. We will conduct a quasi-experiment assessing the impacts of a 90-minute interactive training on field-based staff in a United States state government agency. We hypothesize that the knowledge-based interventions, social modeling, and mastery experiences included in the training will increase participants’ sexual harassment and assault prevention knowledge, self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and behavior after the training compared to a control group of their peers. Results will confirm or refute the utility of a peer-led interactive intervention for improving workplace culture and safety in scientific settings.