u01d2 Drawbacks

Describe some of the obvious drawbacks of human sexuality research. Support your answer with research
methodology information when possible. Consider and identify the possible drawbacks, and comment on the impact
of a person volunteering to complete a lengthy questionnaire about their personal sexual behaviors and attitudes.
Resources
o Attributes and Evaluation of Discussion Contributions.
o Professional Communications and Writing Guide.

There are two primary methodologies that are generally used in psychological research:
quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research involves a philosophical approach of logical
positivism through the use of experimental methodologies to test predetermined, hypothetical
generalizations (Hoepfl, 1997). However, it is typically limited by its specific analysis involving
dependent and independent variables without regard to the depth and detail of response
categories as in the case of quantitative experimental designs. Careful standardized construction
of psychometric instruments is critical to ensure that internal validity is maintained throughout
the research process. Finally, quantitative research often focuses on causality and explores the
possible correlations between phenomena.
By way of contrast, the focus of qualitative research involves the inductive analysis of
discovering the meaning of the events, problems or issues from the participants perspective.
Therefore, qualitative research often uses open ended interview questions and observation to
explore the depth and meaning of the content data such as in the use of a qualitative
phenomenological research designs, ethnographies or case studies.

Contrary to the use of psychometric instruments used in quantitative research, in qualitative
methodologies the researcher is the instrument. A researchers training and competency to
prepare, gather and interpret data based upon research designs involving semi-structured, face-
to-face interviews, observations or examining documents is therefore critically important to the
credibility of the study. Qualitative research has an interpretive and holistic quality examining
the historicity, socio-cultural, socio-economic and other contextual factors that may contribute to
a broad analysis involving multiple facets or perspectives of the research problem (Creswell,
2006).

Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies share common ground in seeking to
maintain high levels of validity and reliability. Researchers commonly employ various measures
such as bracketing, triangulation and member checking in qualitative studies to ensure that the
sample population and research process is free of bias and is precise in formulating conclusions
that address the research question.

With regard to sampling techniques in a study of sexual attitudes and behaviors, random
sampling can be used increase internal validity. However, hypersensitivity to issues of human
sexual beliefs and practices in random sampling often results in missing data among those that
refuse to participate (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2004). This of course impugns the
integrity of the research. As a result, researchers may resolve the dilemma by relying on
volunteers or convenience samples which may also result in an unrepresentative sampling of the
target population thus invalidating the research study.

Qualitative case studies may also be fraught with dilemmas in regards to maintaining acceptable
levels of validity and reliability. Although case studies are extremely useful in gathering in
depth and rich data of the life experience of the participants, it is also prone to rely upon memory
recall, and subject to the inexperience or bias of the researcher in collecting and interpreting the
data.

Another sampling methodology that has been used in both quantitative and qualitative research
methodologies is the survey method (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2004). Survey research
relies upon self report data which is subject to memory bias, inadequate recall, false consensus
effect, and social desirability bias. Furthermore, individuals generally tend to refuse to
participate in surveys and therefore researchers often rely on volunteers who tend to be more
sexually liberal which is also problematic for a researcher in seeking to maintain validity and
credibility.

In quantitative methodologies involving experimental designs, a researcher may also be faced
with troublesome aspects of validity and reliability in measuring sexual beliefs and practices.
Although causality is clearly a positive aspect of experimentation, one cannot manipulate DV
and IV variables thus reducing the methodology to correlating factors that may potentially yield
invalid assessments and conclusions based upon the data analysis. Finally, ethical issues such as
exposing children to pornography, may limit the scope of quantitative research when researching
human sexual response and behavior.
Anthony Rhodes
General Psychology Ph.D.
References
Creswell, J. (2006). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five
traditions (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Hoepfl, M. (1997). Choosing qualitative research: A primer for technology education
researchers. Journal of Technology Education, 9(1), 4763.
Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2004). Human sexuality in a world of
diversity (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 0205406157.