1. Chapter 2 Sex Research: Methods and Problems

2. Sexology The study of sexuality
purpose is to understand, predict and control sexual behavior
control raises more ethical concerns

3. Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)
Case studies
single subject or small group
advantages:
unique in depth-information about atypical cases or behavior
disadvantages
hard to generalize
often based on retrospective self-report
not suitable for many research questions

4. Non-experimental Research Methods
Table 2.1 A Summary of Research Methods

5. Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)
Survey Studies
small to large samples of people
face-to-face interviews or questionnaires
Computerized more recently
Choosing the sample
representative sample
random sample

6. Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)
Survey Studies
advantages
questionnaires: anonymity may improve honesty, cheaper
interviews: more flexible, rapport, may improve clarity & understanding

7. Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)
Survey Studies
disadvantages7
self-selection and nonresponse
demographic bias
same distortion biases as case study

8. Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)
Survey Examples
The Kinsey Reports
The National Health and Social Life Survey
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Violent pornography and alcohol use

9. Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)
Table 2.2 Ethnicity and Sexual Practices

10. Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)
Direct observation studies
small to moderate samples of people
reliability increases with
representative sample
accuracy of recording devices
advantages
eliminates possibility of falsification
Records can be kept indefinately
disadvantages
self-selection, reactivity, expense

11. The Experimental Method
Procedures
small to moderate samples of people
the “independent variable” is manipulated
changes in the "dependent variable” are measured
reliability & validity increase with
random selection
random assignment

12. The Experimental Method (cont.)
Advantages
lowers the influence of other variables
can make cause-effect conclusions
Disadvantages
being measured may affect actions
artificiality of laboratory setting

13. Technologies in Sex Research
Electronic devices for measuring sexual arousal
penile strain gauge measures slightest change in penis size
vaginal photoplethysmograph measures increased vaginal blood volume

14. Technologies in Sex Research (cont.)
Computerized assessment of sexual behavior
computer assisted self-interview (CASI)
eliminates literacy issues and negative impact of interviewer
subjects may prefer over face to face interview
Research in Cyberspace
Advantages; cheaper and more efficient; nearly limitless survey pool
Disadvantages; sample selection bias; low response rates; privacy and ethical issues

15. Ethical Guidelines for Human Sex Research
No pressure or coercion for participation
Informed consent and right to refuse to participate
Confidentiality and anonymity
Question of deception
Institutional ethics review

16. Feminist Theory & Sex Research
Biases due to past domination by white, middle-class males
focus on penis-vagina sexuality
focus on heterosexuality or gay males
lack of female health focus
focus on controlling female fertility
lack of qualitative research methods

17. Evaluating Research: Questions to Ask
Why was the research done? Who did the research? What biases are there?
Who were the subjects? How were they selected & assigned to groups?
How was the research conducted? What methods were used?
Where was the research reported? What additional support is there?