The studies of Alfred Kinsey are perhaps the best known and most widely cited example of survey research. With his associates Kinsey published two large volumes in the decade following World War II: One, on male sexuality, was published in 1948; the follow-up report on female sexuality was published in 1953. These volumes contain the results of extensive survey interviews, the aim of which was to determine patterns of sexual behavior in American males and females.
The Kinsey sample consisted of 5,300 White males and 5,940 White females. Respondents came from both rural and urban areas in each state and represented a range of ages, marital statuses, occupations, educational levels, and religions. However, the sample had a disproportionately greater number of better-educated, city-dwelling Protestants, whereas older people, rural dwellers, and those with less education were underrepresented. African Americans and other racial minorities were completely omitted from the sample. And, finally, all subjects were volunteers. Thus in no way can Kinsey’s study population be viewed as a representative sample of the American population.
Although published over 50 years ago, many of Kinsey’s data are relevant today. The passage of time has not altered the validity of certain findings—for example, that sexual behavior is influenced by educational level and that heterosexuality or homosexuality is often not an all-or-none proposition. However, certain other areas—such as coital rates among unmarried people—are more influenced by changing societal norms. Therefore we might expect the Kinsey data to be less predictive of contemporary practices in these areas. Nevertheless, even here the data are still relevant; they provide one possible basis for estimating the degree of behavioral change over the years.
|
CHAPTER 2 |