Handbook for Conducting Research on Human Sexuality

by Wiederman; Michael W.

• ISBN13: 9780805841497
• ISBN10: 0805841490
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Psychology Pres

Summary

Human sexuality researchers often find themselves faced with questions that entail conceptual, methodological, or ethical issues for which their professional training or prior experience may not have prepared them. The goal of this handbook is to provide that guidance to students and professionals interested in the empirical study of human sexuality from behavioral and social scientific perspectives. It provides practical and concrete advice about conducting human sexuality research and addresses issues inherent to both general social scientific and specific human sexuality research. This comprehensive resource offers a unique multidisciplinary examination of the specific methodological issues inherent in conducting human sexuality research. The methodological techniques and advances that are familiar to researchers trained in one discipline are often unfamiliar to researchers from other disciplines. This book is intended to help enrich the communication between the various disciplines involved in human sexuality research. Each of the 21 self-standing chapters provides an expert overview of a particular area of research methodology from a variety of academic disciplines. It addresses those issues unique to human sexuality research, such as: * how to measure sexuality variables; * how to design studies, recruit participants, and collect data; * how to consider cultural and ethical issues; and * how to perform and interpret statistical analyses. This book is intended as a reference tool for researchers and students interested in human sexuality from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, family science, health communication, nursing, medicine, and anthropology.

Table of Contents

A Preview: The Unique Nature of Sexuality Research	1	(6)
Michael W. Wiederman
Bernard E. Whitley, Jr.
PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF RESEARCH
The Need to Integrate Sexual Theory and Research	7	(18)
David L. Weis
Reliability and Validity of Measurement	25	(26)
Michael W. Wiederman
Validity in Research	51	(34)
Bernard E. Whitley, Jr.
PART II: DATA COLLECTION
Sampling Considerations	85	(28)
Michael P. Dunne
Behavioral Observation	113	(26)
Monica M. Moore
Psychophysiological Measurement of Sexual Arousal	139	(34)
Erick Janssen
Focus Group Methods	173	(22)
Peggy Y. Byers
Richard A. Zeller
Bryan D. Byers
Dear Diary: A Useful But Imperfect Method	195	(14)
Paul Okami
Policy Capturing	209	(14)
Michael W. Wiederman
PART III: DATA ANALYSIS
Group Comparison Research	223	(32)
Bernard E. Whitley, Jr.
Regression Models	255	(34)
Alfred DeMaris
Covariance Structure Models	289	(38)
Alfred DeMaris
Analyzing Textual Material	327	(18)
Laura M. Carpenter
Content Analysis of Visual Materials	345	(26)
Gloria Cowan
PART IV: INTERPRETING RESULTS
Interpreting Research Results	371	(22)
Elizabeth Rice Allgeier
Integrative Literature Reviewing	393	(32)
Bernard E. Whitley, Jr.
PART V: SPECIAL ISSUES
Discovering the Value of Cross-Cultural Research on Human Sexuality	425	(30)
Suzanne G. Frayser
Conceptualizing Diversity in Sexuality Research	455	(24)
Michael R. Stevenson
Institutional Review Boards and Conducting Sexuality Research	479	(26)
Michael W. Wiederman
Causes and Consequences of a Career in Sexuality Research	505	(8)
Paul Okami
Author Index	513	(16)
Subject Index	529