Chapter 2 Sex Research: Methods and Problems

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Chapter 2Sex Research Methods and Problems
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Sexology

• The study of sexuality
• purpose is to understand, predict and control
  sexual behavior

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Non-experimental Research Methods

• Case studies
• single subject or small group
• advantages
• unique in depth-information about atypical cases
  or behavior
• disadvantages
• variables cannot be controlled
• hard to generalize
• often based on self-report

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Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)

• Survey Studies
• small to large samples of people
• face-to-face interviews or questionnaires
• reliability increases with
• representative sample
• random sample

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Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)

• Survey Studies
• advantages
• questionnaires anonymity may improve honesty,
  cheaper
• interviews more flexible, may improve clarity
  understanding

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Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)

• Survey Studies
• disadvantages
• self-selection and nonresponse
• demographic bias
• same distortion biases as case study

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Non-experimental Research Methods (cont.)

• Direct observation studies
• small to moderate samples of people
• reliability increases with
• representative sample
• accuracy of recording devices
• advantages
• use of objective measures
• disadvantages
• self-selection, reactivity, expense

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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

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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

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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

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Technologies in Sex Research (cont.)

• Computerized assessment of sexual behavior
• computer assisted self-interview (CASI)

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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

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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

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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?