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Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 2 Research Methods in Human Sexuality A Scientific Approach to Human Sexuality Populations and Samples: Representing the World of Diversity Methods of Observation The Correlational Method The Experimental Method Ethics in Sex Research

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 3 A Scientific Approach To study human sexuality, an empirical approach is used. Knowledge is based on research evidence

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 4 A Scientific Approach The Scientific Method Formulating a research question Framing the research question in the form of a hypothesis  a precise prediction about behavior that is tested through research Testing the hypothesis Drawing conclusions

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 5 A Scientific Approach Goals of the Science of Human Sexuality Describe : clear, unbiased, precise Explain: relation observations to other factors Predict: use observations to estimate future behavior or developments

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 6 Populations and Samples Population A complete group of people or animals Target population: particular group being studied (e.g, Americans, homosexuals) Sample Part of a population that is chosen to participate in research In order to generalize results to the population, samples need to represent it.

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 7 Populations and Samples Sampling Methods Random sample Every member of a population has an equal chance of being in the sample being studied For example, put all members of a population in a hat and draw the number needed for the sample Stratified random sample Random sample in which known subgroups in a population are represented in proportion to their numbers in the population For example, if 87% of the population is Caucasian, sampling is done to ensure that 87% of the sample is Caucasian Sex research suffers from volunteer bias People who participate are those willing to discuss intimate matters.

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 8 Methods of Observation The Case-Study Method Carefully drawn, in-depth biography of an individual or a small group of individuals that may be obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and historical records Problems with case studies Not as rigorous as experiments Observer bias Useful for unusual circumstances and clinical work

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 9 Methods of Observation The Survey Method Detailed study of a sample obtained by interviews and questionnaires

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 10 Methods of Observation The Survey Method Questionnaires versus Interviews: Questionnaires less expensive Questionnaires may be administered to many people at once Questionnaires are anonymous Interviews can be given to those who can’t read Interviews can be more flexible and allow for more detailed information

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 11 Methods of Observation Surveys of Human Sexuality The Kinsey Reports The NHSLS Study The Playboy Foundation Survey The Magazine Surveys Surveys of Specific Populations

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 12 Methods of Observation The Survey Method Limitations of the Survey Method Volunteer bias Faulty estimation, poor recall Social desirability A response bias in which the person provides a socially acceptable response Exaggeration Denial Differences in meanings of terms

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 13 Methods of Observation The Naturalistic-Observation Method Behavior is observed where it naturally happens Unobtrusive, without manipulation Ethical dilemmas may arise

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 14 Methods of Observation The Ethnographic-Observation Method Ethnography Branch of anthropology that deals descriptively with specific cultures, especially preliterate societies Ethnographic research collects data regarding behaviors and customs among ethnic groups The Participant-Observation Method Observers interact with the people they study as they collect data

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 15 Methods of Observation The Laboratory-Observation Method Individuals are observed in a laboratory, where the situation can be better controlled. Masters and Johnson’s research Measured the physiological responses involved with sexual behavior Instruments directly measured vasocongestion (blood flow to the genitals) and myotonia (muscle tension) Data depicted the sexual response cycles of men and women

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 16 Methods of Observation Physiological Measures of Sexual Arousal Penile strain gauge Device for measuring sexual arousal in men Measures vasocongestion, which leads to erection in men Vaginal photoplethysmograph Device for measuring sexual arousal in women Measures vasocongestion, which leads to vaginal lubrication in women

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 17 Methods of Observation *IF POSSIBLE, INCLUDE PHOTOS OF PENILE STRAIN GAUGE AND VAGINAL PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAPH USED IN BOX ON PAGE 51 HERE

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 18 The Correlational Method Correlation Statistical measure of the relationship between two variables Correlational coefficient Statistic that expresses the strength and direction (positive or negative) of the relationship between two variables Positive correlation: both variables increase or both variables decrease Negative correlation: one variable increases and the other variable decreases

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 19 The Correlational Method

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 20 The Correlational Method A correlation between two variables does not indicate that the relationship is a causal one. Variable A may cause changes in variable B. Variable B may cause changes in variable A. Variable C may cause changes in variables A and B. However, a correlation does allow predictions to be made about the value of one variable given the value of the other.

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 21 The Experimental Method Experiment Scientific method that seeks to confirm cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating independent variables and observing their effects on dependent variables Treatment Intervention that is administered to participants

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 22 The Experimental Method Independent variable Condition that is manipulated so that its effects can be observed Dependent variable Measured results of an experiment Believed to be a function of the independent variables

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 23 The Experimental Method Experimental group Group of study participants who receive a treatment Control group Group of study participants who do not receive the experimental treatment However, other conditions are held comparable to those in the experimental group.

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 24 The Experimental Method Participants are put into the experimental or control group via random assignment. Random assignment is important due to: Selection factor Bias that may operate in research when people are allowed to determine whether they will receive a treatment Groups should be relatively equal if random assignment is used

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 25 The Experimental Method The Effect of Caffeine on Arousal Time IV = Caffeine, DV = Arousal Time Experimental Group: Drink a beverage with caffeine and be presented with an arousing image; arousal time would be measured Control Group: Drink a beverage without caffeine and be presented with same arousing image; arousal time would be measured If the Experimental group was slower to be aroused, it would be due to the caffeine.

Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon 26 Ethics in Sex Research Ethical issues: Exposing participants to harm Confidentiality Informed consent Deception