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Transcript of RESEARCH METHODS IN HUMAN SEXUALITY Chapter 2. In this chapter… A Scientific Approach to Human...
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.