RESEARCH METHODS IN HUMAN SEXUALITYChapter 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

A Scientific Approach

•Knowledge is based on research evidence

An empirical approach is used to

study human

sexuality

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

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

Populations & Samples

Population• 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

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

Populations & Samples

Random samples are difficult to

come by

Volunteer bias in sex research

Use convenience samples

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

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

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

Limitations of Survey Methods

Faulty estimation, poor recall

Non-representative sample

• Social Desirability• Volunteer

Bias

Exaggeration

Misunderstanding terms or questions

Methods of Observation

Naturalistic Observation

Behavior is observed where it occurs

Attempt not to influence behavior

Ethical dilemmas may arise

Methods of ObservationEthnographic Observation

Anthropologists engage in ethnographic research

Provides data about customs and behaviors that occur among various ethnic groups

Researcher’s presence may influence behaviors

Methods of Observation

Participant Observation

Investigators collect data by interacting with the subjects under study

Methods of ObservationLaboratory 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

Correlation

Positive• Both increase

or decrease together

Negative• Both increase

or decrease opposite each other

• Statistical measure of the relationship between two variables

• A correlation coefficient expresses the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables

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

Critical Thinking

Would you expect that there would be a positive or negative correlation between satisfaction in a relationship and communication?

Explain.

The Experimental MethodThe 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

The Experimental Method

Treatment

• An intervention that is administered to participants

Control Group

• Do not receive the treatment

Experimental Group

• Receive the treatment

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

Ethics in Sex Research

Exposing participants to

harmConfidentiality

Informed Consent

Use of deception

Critical Thinking

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.