The Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) is a rigorously validated assessment used to measure intercultural competence. Because of its proprietary nature and ethical standards for use, specific requirements apply when the IDI is used in research. This article outlines who may use the IDI for research, how data may be shared and analyzed, and the responsibilities associated with ethical and appropriate use.
Eligibility to Use the IDI for Research
The IDI can only be administered by licensed IDI Qualified Administrators (QAs) who have completed the IDI Qualifying Seminar (QS). As a result, individuals who wish to use the IDI in research—whether to collect, analyze, present, or publish IDI data—must typically be QAs.
If you are not already a QA, you must first register for and attend an IDI Qualifying Seminar to become licensed. Once certified, QAs may purchase the IDI for research use, with one IDI required per participant. Participants complete the IDI online using individual login credentials, while the QA accesses all results through their secure IDI account.
Collaborating With Non-QAs
IDI research projects may involve collaboration with individuals who are not QAs (e.g., statisticians, faculty colleagues, graduate students, or co-investigators). However, the QA who purchases and administers the IDI retains full responsibility for the data and its use. This includes responsibility for:
Ensuring the IDI is administered according to IDI guidelines
Confirming that results are analyzed and interpreted accurately
Maintaining compliance with IDI policies, standards, and best practices
The QA must be listed as an author or co-author on any publications, presentations, or other scholarly outputs that involve IDI data. If the IDI is administered incorrectly or data are misinterpreted, accountability rests with the QA.
Ethical Use and Best Practices in Research
QAs using the IDI for research are required to adhere to IDI Best Practices. Specifically:
The IDI may not be used for selection, promotion, or hiring decisions
The IDI may not be used to validate another assessment instrument
The IDI must be used ethically, responsibly, and in alignment with its intended purpose
Researchers are strongly encouraged to follow their institution’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, informed consent procedures, and privacy guidelines. In addition, researchers are encouraged to submit their research proposal to IDI, LLC for review prior to registering for a Qualifying Seminar.
Confidentiality and Participant Consent
Before using IDI data for research purposes, QAs should carefully review any confidentiality policies or agreements in place with clients or participants. In particular, QAs should confirm:
How results may be used under existing confidentiality agreements
Who is permitted to view individual and/or aggregated results
Whether participants were informed that their IDI results might be used for research
Whether participants explicitly consented to this use
Ensuring transparency, informed consent, and alignment with confidentiality agreements is essential for ethical research involving IDI data.
What If You Are Not a QA?
Only QAs may administer the IDI and are ultimately responsible for its data, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination. Non-QAs may collaborate on research projects involving the IDI, including data analysis, reporting, and co-presenting or co-authoring scholarly work. However, responsibility for appropriate use and interpretation of IDI data always remains with the QA.
Interested in Conducting IDI Research?
For questions about using the IDI in research please contact support@idiinventory.com.