Deck 13: Survey of Sexual Behavior of Americans

Question 1

Many scientists and laypeople who were initially contacted regarding a national scientific survey of sex behavior responded as follows: they were

A) enthusiastic because although difficult and expensive such a study could be easily completed in a short time.
B) skeptical of its value because several recent national sex surveys had just recently been completed.
C) enthusiastic because scientific information about the national patterns of sexual behavior was nonexistent.
D) skeptical because people would not answer such private questions or would not tell the truth if they did.

Answer 1

skeptical because people would not answer such private questions or would not tell the truth if they did.

Question 2

Until recently, scientific research on sexuality has been

A) a matter of personal preference and choice.
B) somewhat in the middle of research priorities.
C) taboo and to be avoided at all costs.
D) a high priority due to HIV/AIDS.

Answer 2

taboo and to be avoided at all costs.

Question 3

Sample design for the NHSLS was derived by

A) surveying sample respondents first for their opinions regarding the size of samples for a national study of sex behavior.
B) considering the size of groups needed for valid analysis of subpopulations such as men and women, minorities, young and old people.
C) utilizing nonrandom sampling techniques and an estimate of sample size.
D) considering an estimate of a single population and a sample size of 10,000.

Answer 3

considering the size of groups needed for valid analysis of subpopulations such as men and women, minorities, young and old people.

Question 4

Experience suggest that a reasonable and respectable response rate for completion of surveys by those in the target group ranges between

A) at least 50%.
B) 65% to 80%.
C) 80% to 95%.
D) 75% to 90%.

Question 5

The "secret" of achieving high survey response rates in the NHSLS project was

A) thorough interviewer training and a highly mobilized field staff who conducted face-to-face interviews.
B) the result of years of careful planning including several pilot studies to identify participants for self-administered survey forms.
C) thorough study of areas and neighborhoods where subjects were to be contacted for interviews.
D) based on careful probability sampling and selection of subpopulations to be interviewed.

Question 6

The primary means of administering surveys for the NHSLS research was

A) a combination of all three: face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, and self-administered forms.
B) self-administered forms.
C) face-to-face interviews.
D) telephone surveys.

Question 7

The questionnaire used for the NHSLS research project

A) was based directly on Kinsey's earlier sex research.
B) was generated by a computer program of predetermined questions.
C) utilized slang to make subjects feel comfortable in responding to questions.
D) remains the most important element of study design and was guided by concepts and ideas underlying the study.

Question 8

It was difficult for NHSLS researchers to determine where to draw boundaries for sex behavior in their questionnaire because

A) the definition of sex varies according to gender roles.
B) the definition of sexual activity is not limited to sexual intercourse.
C) religious values may determine how people will respond.
D) some people are highly sexual while others are not.

Question 9

Discuss several important decisions and issues which survey researchers in the NHSLS project faced. How did they respond, i.e., what decisions did they make regarding how best to proceed with their project? Do you agree with most of their decisions? Explain.

Question 10

Discuss the advantages/disadvantages of the three modes of undertaking survey responses: face-to-face, telephone, or self-administered as it applies to the NHLSL project.

Question 11

Why is designing survey research on the sexual behavior of Americans so challenging? Identify at least two issues researchers must face when completing this type of survey.

Question 12

How were issues of respondents' privacy and confidentiality, and security of data collected, addressed by the researchers in order to minimize risk to subjects?