Chapter 2: Sex Research and Theory
Overview of Scientific Research
• Scientific research involves methods of collecting and analyzing empirical evidence, or
data that can be observed
• Scientific knowledge is different from common sense, intuition, tradition, and authority in
that it is supported by observable evidence
The Interdisciplinary Nature of Sexology
• Biosexology: Biological aspects
• Psychosexology: Psychological influence
• Sociosexology: Social and cultural influence
Theories of Sexuality
• Biological Theories
• Psychological Theories
• Sociological Theories
• Biological Theories
• Physiological theories
Physiological processes
• Evolutionary/Sociobiological Theories
Human evolution
• Psychological Theories
• Psychoanalytic theory
Unconscious processes
• Classical conditioning
Behavior modification
• Operant learning theory
Behavioral consequences
• Social learning theory
Environmental learning
• Cognitive/affective theories
Thought processes
• Sociological Theories
• Symbolic interaction theory
Learning through interaction
• Structural-functional theory
System of interrelated parts
• Conflict theory
Competition for power and resources
• Feminist theories
Discrepancies in equality between men and women
• Systems theory
Interpersonal aspects of sexuality
• Eclectic View of Human Sexuality
Eclectic view
Multiple perspectives
“We cannot expect to understand human sexuality unless we consider both
biology and culture . . . and the interface between them as it affects the
individual, the dyad, and the group.”
John Bancroft
Conducting Sex Research: A Step-by-Step Process
•Identifying a Research Question
• The framing of research questions may be affected by the social and political context of the
times
• Alfred C. Kinsey
Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female.
Reviewing the Literature
• Discovery
• Journals publishing research on human sexuality include The Journal of Sex Research,
Archives of Sexual Behavior, Journal of Homosexuality, Electronic Journal of Human
Sexuality, Family Planning Perspectives, Psychology of Human Sexuality, and many others
•
Formulating a Hypothesis and Operationalizing Variables
• Hypothesis
• Variable
• Dependent variable
• Independent variable
• Operationalize
• Operational definition
• Methods of Data Collection
• Methods of data collection include:
 Experimental Research
 Survey Research
 Field Research
 Direct Laboratory Observations
 Case Studies
 Historical Research
• Experimental Research
Manipulation and random assignment
• Survey Research
• Sample
• Representative sample
• Personal Choices: Participating in Sex Research as a Subject?
• Individuals who participate in sexuality research benefit the larger society
• Field research
• Participant observation
• Nonparticipant observation
• Direct Laboratory Observations
• Direct laboratory observation
In human sexuality research, actually observing individuals engage in sexual behavior
• Case Studies
• Case study
A research method that involves conducting an in-depth, detailed analysis of an individual,
group, relationship, or event
• Historical Research
Historical research involves investigating sexuality and sexual issues through the study of
historical documents
• Levels of Data Analysis
• Description
• Correlation
• Causation
• Description
• Descriptive research
• Qualitative descriptions
• Quantitative descriptions
• Correlation
• Positive correlation
• Negative correlation
• Causation
• 3 conditions must be met:
 First, the research must demonstrate that variable A is correlated with variable B
 Second, the researcher must demonstrate that the presumed cause (variable A) occurs or
changes prior to the presumed effect (variable B)
 Third, the researcher must demonstrate that the observed correlation is nonspurious
• Interpretation and Discussion
• Following data analysis, the researcher evaluates and interprets the results and their
implications
• Publishing results of sexuality surveys may accomplish more than simply reporting on
trends; it may help shape them