Chapter 2 Sex Research: Methods and Problems

1. Chapter 2Sex 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?