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The science of sex research: Some methodological considerations

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Abstract

This paper represents a review of substantive theoretical, methodological, and statistical issues relevant to conducting research on human sexual behavior. Guidelines for maintaining rigor and precision in future investigations are also proposed. So as to be able to address issues that pervade all research on human sexual behavior, six topic areas are discussed: theory-related issues, issues involving research design, issues involving subject selection, measurement issues, data-analytic issues, and issues concerned with human-subject protection. The ultimate objective of this paper is to make suggestions aimed at improving the quality of research on human sexual behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    P. M. Bentler Ph.D. & Paul R. Abramson Ph.D.

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  1. P. M. Bentler Ph.D.
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  2. Paul R. Abramson Ph.D.
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Invited paper, Conference on Methodology in Sex Research, Washington, D.C., November 8–19, 1977. This investigation was supported in part by a Research Scientist Development Award (KO2-DA00017), Biomedical Research Support Grant from University of California, Los Angeles, and research grant DA1070 from the U.S. Public Health Service. The assistance of Bonnie Barron is gratefully acknowledged.

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Bentler, P.M., Abramson, P.R. The science of sex research: Some methodological considerations. Arch Sex Behav 10, 225–251 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01543077

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