Studying Human Sexuality

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Studying Human Sexuality

• Rhonda Martin, MS, RN
• The University of Tulsa

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Sexology

• Study of sexuality
• relatively young field

3
Nonexperimental Research Methods

• Case studies
• one or more persons
• use direct observations, testing, interviews, etc
• advantages
• unique insights into atypical cases
• in depth information, personal perspective
• find associations between variables

4
Survey Studies

• Case studies
• disadvantages
• variables cannot be controlled
• biased by self-reporting errors, intentional
  distortion of facts
• hard to generalize to others or draw firm
  conclusions
• examples

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Nonexperimental Research Methods

• Survey studies
• small to large samples of people
• use of face-to-face computerized interviews,
  questionnaires
• reliability increases with
• selecting representative sample
• selecting random sample
• advantages
• questionnaires (anonymity may improve
  honesty,cheaper, quicker, more objective)

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Nonexperimental Research Methods

• Survey studies
• advantages
• interviews (more flexible, may improve clarity
  understanding, provides richer data)
• disadvantages
• biased by self-selection
• same self-report, memory, distortion biases as
  in case study
• examples
• Kinseys 1948 1953 surveys,
• National Health Social Life Survey in 1994.

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Nonexperimental Research Methods

• Direct observation studies
• small to moderate samples
• use of direct observation recording of data
• reliability increases with
• selecting representative sample
• accuracy of recording devices
• advantages
• use of objective measures lessens self-reporting
  memory biases

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Nonexperimental Research Methods

• Direct observation studies
• disadvantages
• biased by self-selection (sample less
  representative)
• observation may change behavior
• more expensive
• examples
• Masters Johnsons 1966 study of physiological
  arousal

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The Experimental Method

• Procedures
• small to moderate samples
• reliability validity increase with
• random selection of sample
• random assignment of subject to control
  experimental groups
• experimenter manipulation of the independent
  variable
• experimenter control of other variables
• accurate measurement of the dependent variable

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The Experimental Method

• Advantages
• decreases the influence of other variables
• can make cause-effect conclusions
• Disadvantages
• being measured may affect actions
• artificiality of laboratory setting

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The popular media sex research

• Poor methods, unreliable results
• use critical thinking, be skeptical
• examples
• MTV Loveline - Dr. Drew
• www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
• Dear Abby
• Dr. Ruth
• Redbook
• Playboy

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Evaluating research

• Critical thinking
• think with logic objectivity
• objective statement vs value judgements,
  opinions, biases, stereotypes, fallacies, etc
• ethical/legal issues
• maintain welfare, dignity, rights, well-being,
  safety of human subjects
• no pressure, no harm, informed consent,
  confidentiality, debrief if deception, review
  committee

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Evaluating research

• Questions to ask
• Why was the research done? Who
  did the research? What biases might there be?
• Who were the subjects? How were they selected
  assigned to groups? How many were there?
• How was the research conducted? What methods were
  used?
• Where was the research reported? What additional
  support is there?