2 – Sex Research: Methods and Problems
1.
Define sexology and describe three of its goals, providing examples of each goal.
2.
Describe when and how the discipline of sexology originated.
3.
Describe each of the following research methods, including advantages and disadvantages of each
method, and provide an example of each type of research: case study, survey, direct observation,
experimental.
4.
Define each of the following and distinguish among them: survey sample, target population,
representative sample, and random sample.
5.
Discuss two types of survey methods and the strengths and limitations of each.
6.
Explain how nonresponse, self-selection, demographic bias, and inaccuracy present problems in sex
survey research.
7.
Summarize some of the results of a national sex survey in Kenya.
8.
Summarize the available research on “volunteer bias.”
9.
Describe the research studies of Alfred Kinsey and his associates, including research methods used,
subject populations studied, and strengths and limitations of this work.
10. Describe the National Health and Social Life Survey and Youth Risk Behavior Survey, including
research methods used, subject populations studied, and strengths and limitations of this work.
11. Describe the results of surveys on violent pornography and alcohol use.
12. Describe Masters and Johnson’s research, including the research method used, subject populations
studied, and the strengths and limitations of this work.
13. Distinguish between independent and dependent variables, providing examples of each.
14. Describe how the experimental method has been used to study the effects of alcohol use on sexual
arousal.
15. Describe the experimental method that has been used to study the relationship between sexually
violent media and rape attitudes and behavior.
16. Describe new technologies in sex research and advantages and disadvantages of each.
17. Describe the impact of the Internet on sexuality research.
18. Discuss some ethical considerations in conducting sex research.
19. Describe how feminist theory has influenced research in sexology.
20. Identify some criteria that would be helpful in evaluating various kinds of research.
21. Summarize some of the research findings on ethnicity and sexual behavior.