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Chapter 13: Problem 1

Prevalence rates for sexual behavior are typically based on surveys of the general population. However, many people feel that sex is private and refuse to participate in such surveys, and those who do respond tend to be more liberal, sexually experienced, and unconventional than the norm. What problems might this cause for sex researchers? pp. \(415-428\)

Short Answer

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Sample bias in sex research can produce unreliable and inauthentic data representing only a subsection of the population, often resulting in skewed results. This can lead to inaccurate representation of the general population's sexual behaviors and cause misguided conclusions, affecting policymaking and future research.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the sample bias

In any research, the participants should ideally reflect the whole population that the study intends to portray. If the participants are not a representative sample of the population, the presence of sample bias occurs. In the context of sex research, this bias can occur because many people consider sex as a private topic and thus, refuse to participate in such surveys. As a result, the majority of respondents tend to be more liberal, sexually experienced, and unconventional than the norm.
02

Identify problems related to sample bias

Due to this bias, the data collected may not accurately represent the full spectrum of sexual behaviors in the general population. The prevalence rates for certain behaviors may end up being overrepresented or underrepresented causing skewed results. Moreover, some specific behaviors or tendencies might not appear in the research at all if the people who practice them avoid participating.
03

Discuss potential impacts on future research

This kind of bias in research methods can limit the validity and reliability of the results and lead to misguided conclusions. It may affect the construction of theories, norms, and guidelines related to sexual behavior and health. Moreover, it can impact decisions and policy making in areas such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement related to sexual behavior.

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Sex is one of the topics most commonly searched on the Internet. Why might it be such a popular search topic? Is the availability of sex chat groups and other sexual material on the Internet psychologically healthy or damaging? pp. \(430,415-449\)

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