[Taking into consideration gender and sex. New chances to improve the quality of epidemiological and health research].

Researchers who apply for project funding at the European level or at German Federal Ministries must take into account the gender aspects of their proposals as well as in the realization of these projects (gender mainstreaming) more and more often. The promotion of gender equality in research and science is becoming a "mainstream" task as well as a sign of the quality of the project. In practice, however, the process of carrying out gender sensitive research must still gain momentum. This article focuses on central questions and problems: Which are the gender aspects of a certain subject? In what way do we have to design studies and research methods to be able to apprehend and discover gender aspects properly? Which strategies of evaluation are adequate? What is the best way to analyze, interpret, and communicate data? The basics will be clarified (e. g. terms like sex/gender, doing gender, the role of the "gender" category in the context of social differentiation, causes and forms of gender bias). In addition, methodological/methodical hints and instruments to avoid distortion due to the inadequate consideration of gender category in the course of research will be introduced (diagnostic brief-questionnaire according to Eichler, gender-matrix, five challenges according to Doyal, gender adequate speech and publication).