Sex contextualism in laboratory research: Enhancing rigor and precision in the study of sex-related variables

Understanding sex -related variation in health and illness requires rigorous and precise approaches to revealing underlying mechanisms. A first step is to recognize that sex is not in and of itself a causal mechanism; rather, it is a classification system comprising a set of categories, usually assigned according to a range of varying traits. Moving beyond sex as a system of classification to working with concrete and measurable sex -related variables is necessary for precision. Whether and how these sex -related variables matter-and what patterns of difference they contribute to-will vary in context -specific ways. Second, when researchers incorporate these sex -related variables into research designs, rigorous analytical methods are needed to allow strongly supported conclusions. Third, the interpretation and reporting of sex -related variation require care to ensure that basic and preclinical research advance health equity for all.