CHAPTER 2 Sexuality Research

CHAPTER 2 Sexuality Research

FEATURES

·   Ethical Dimensions  Permission to Do Research on Sexual Behavior

·   Multicultural Dimensions  The Wyatt Surveys on African American and White Women in Los Angeles

·   Global Dimensions  The Liu Report: Sexual Behavior in Modern China

·   Gender Dimensions  Differences in Research Results

·   Communication Dimensions  Talking About Sexuality Research Results

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

· 1 Describe the various methods used in sexuality research, including the steps in the scientific process.

· 2 Identify the ethical issues involved in sexuality research.

· 3 Describe the work of early sexuality researchers, including how they set the stage for modern research.

· 4 Summarize the contributions of major modern sexuality researchers.

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Ethical Dimensions: Permission to Do Research on Sexual Behavior

Alfred Kinsey

William Masters and Virginia Johnson

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

INTRODUCTION

You have probably heard the joke, “My mind is made up; don’t confuse me with the facts.” Unfortunately, when it comes to sexuality research, this attitude too often prevails. For example, a few years ago one of our students mentioned that one of his parents had asked him how his courses were going that term. When he mentioned he was learning about research on human sexuality, there were a few seconds of silence.

He explained that he had been raised in a home where sexuality was not discussed. He asked his parent about the silence, and the answer came back that it was a little difficult to think about research on such a topic. What did the researchers do? How did they do it? Why would they even want to do research on sexuality?

Our student explained that for a few minutes he felt he was the parent while he tried to answer these questions. Fortunately, he had already read information on this topic, so he thought he did a pretty good job.

This is not an isolated instance of lack of understanding, or even of repression, when it comes to sexuality research. For instance, in many places in this chapter you will find references to the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS). In 1988, a team of researchers at the University of Chicago won a federal government grant competition to conduct an extensive research study on sexual behavior. In 1989, however, conservative members of Congress attacked its research for a number of reasons (Laumann, Michael, & Gagnon,  1994 ). They said it was a plot by homosexuals to legitimate the normality of gay and lesbian lifestyles; it was an unwarranted intrusion by the government in private matters; it was not needed; it should not be supported with taxpayers’ money; and the project staff had an antifamily agenda.

During a federal governmental review, facts about the research were widely misrepresented. It was also claimed that the researchers had published statements that they had not, and statements were taken out of context in an attempt to show that the researchers should not be doing the research. As a result, the previously approved government grant was cancelled. The research was then completed with private funding. Since the study of human sexuality still prompts anxiety and even fear in some people, as well as a hesitancy to talk about the subject with other people, sexuality research can be difficult.

In this chapter we present some of the major 20th- and 21st-century research on sexuality to show you how knowledge about human sexuality is obtained and to discuss some of the findings that researchers believe can aid individuals in accepting and understanding the sexual parts of their personalities. We turn to the findings after identifying some of the methodology used in sexuality research.

 Research Methods

Research is undertaken to expand our knowledge about specific factors in our environment. Our current knowledge of human sexuality is based on relatively few studies. Perhaps by reading about issues and techniques related to research in general, you will better understand and evaluate the studies we discuss, as well as ask yourself how valid the findings are.

The first task of any researcher, regardless of the subject, is to ask an explicit question. The next is to design a way of gathering the relevant information. In sexuality research the most common methods used are surveys, case studies, and experimental research. Less common is the method of direct observation, a method used more in sexual research clinics but also used extensively in the research of Masters and Johnson (discussed shortly). Each method of research has its advantages and disadvantages, some of which are discussed here.

A good researcher chooses a method according to the particular problem and population being studied. For example, a survey would be used when a large number of responses are desired, as in a study of adolescent behavior. Observation might be desirable when a small number of subjects are involved, as in measuring responses of people who are engaging in a sexual behavior while being electrically monitored.

The Scientific Method

Sexology  is the study of sexuality. To study sexuality appropriately, it is necessary to use the  scientific method —that is, research conducted in an atmosphere free from bias—because it is the most objective way to establish new knowledge in any field. Scientists must always approach research studies without preconceived ideas of what their studies will show. In addition, they cannot have preconceived agendas to show what sexual behavior should be. Researchers do not set out to “prove” something but instead conduct research scientifically to discover what is—not necessarily just what they want it to be. Researchers follow proper procedures and discover information through research that can then be generalized to the real world outside the study.

sexology

The study of sexuality.

scientific method

Research conducted in an atmosphere free from bias.

As we will explain, the scientific method involves the following steps:

· 1. Identifying a research question (which could be based on personal interest or experience, on social concerns, or on the interests of those funding the research, such as government agencies or private industry)

· 2. Reviewing the literature

· 3. Formulating a hypothesis (or two or more hypotheses)

· 4. Operationalizing variables

· 5. Collecting data

· 6. Analyzing the data to test the hypotheses

The scientific method first involves identifying a research question. Not all questions about sexuality lend themselves to