1. Research Methods in Human Sexuality
Chapter 2

2. In this chapter… A Scientific Approach to Human Sexuality
Populations and Samples: Representing the World of Diversity
Methods of Observation
Correlation
Ethics in Sex Research
Research Methods in Human Sexuality

3. An empirical approach is used to study human sexuality
A Scientific Approach
Knowledge is based on research evidence
An empirical approach is used to study human sexuality

4. The Scientific Method Formulate a research question
Frame in form of hypothesis
Test the hypothesis
Draw conclusions
A hypothesis is a precise prediction about behavior that is tested through research

5. Goals of the Science of Human Sexuality
Describe
Explain
Predict
Using clear, unbiased, precise language
Relating observations to other factors
Using observations to estimate future behaviors

6. Populations & Samples Population Sample
A complete group of people or animals
Target population = group being studied
Sample
Part of a population selected for research
Must be representative to generalize

7. Populations & Samples Size Sample size must be representative Random
Every member of target population has equal chance of participating
E.g., put all members of population in a hat and draw number needed
Stratified
Random sample that represents subgroups in population
E.g., if 13% of population is Asian, so is 13% of sample

8. Random samples are difficult to come by
Populations & Samples
Random samples are difficult to come by
Volunteer bias in sex research
Use convenience samples

9. Methods of Observation
Case Study
Carefully drawn, in-depth biography of an individual or a small group of individuals that may be obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and historical records
Useful for unusual circumstances and clinical work
Advantage
Rich information
Disadvantage
Not as rigorous as experiments
Memory gaps
Observer bias

10. Methods of Observation
Survey
Detailed study of a sample obtained by interviews and questionnaires
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

11. Surveys of Human Sexuality
Kinsey Reports
National Health & Social Life Survey (NHSLS)
Playboy Foundation
National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG)
Magazine surveys
National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults

12. Limitations of Survey Methods
Faulty estimation, poor recall
Non-representative sample
Social Desirability
Volunteer
Bias
Exaggeration
Misunderstanding terms or questions

13. Methods of Observation
Naturalistic Observation
Behavior is observed where it occurs
Attempt not to influence behavior
Ethical dilemmas may arise

14. Methods of Observation
Ethnographic Observation
Anthropologists engage in ethnographic research
Provides data about customs and behaviors that occur among various ethnic groups
Researcher’s presence may influence behaviors

15. Methods of Observation
Participant Observation
Investigators collect data by interacting with the subjects under study

16. Methods of Observation
Laboratory Observation
Individuals are studied in controlled conditions in a laboratory setting
Masters and Johnson
Among first to report observations on individuals and couples involved in sex acts
Methods and instruments offered first reliable data on what happens to the body during sexual response
Confounding factor from knowing you are being observed

17. Correlation Positive Negative
Statistical measure of the relationship between two variables
A correlation coefficient expresses the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables
Positive
Both increase or decrease together
Negative
Both increase or decrease opposite each other

18. Correlation
A correlation between two variables does not indicate that the relationship is a causal one
Correlation does allow predictions to be made about the value of one variable given the value of the other

19. Critical
Thinking
Would you expect that there would be a positive or negative correlation between satisfaction in a relationship and communication?
Explain.

20. The Experimental Method
The best method for studying cause and effect
Experiment
Seeks to confirm cause-and-effect by manipulating independent variables and observing their effects on dependent variables
Independent variable – condition that is manipulated
Dependent variable – result that is measured

21. The Experimental Method
Treatment
An intervention that is administered to participants
Control Group
Do not receive the treatment
Experimental Group
Receive the treatment

22. The Experimental Method
Participants are put into the experimental or control group via random assignment
Random selection 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

23. Exposing participants to harm
Ethics in Sex Research
Exposing participants to harm
Confidentiality
Informed Consent
Use of deception

24. Critical Thinking Do you believe that this deception is justified?
Can you think of a more ethical way of measuring “aggression”?
Do you believe that this deception is justified?
In experiments on the effects of violent pornography on aggression, men are led to believe that they are shocking women by pressing a button when they actually are not.