How reliable is sex research? Some studies have found that couples who are sexually satisfied tend to overestimate their frequency of sexual behavior, whereas those who are unsatisfied underreport it (James, 1971). In 1967, a study was done to evaluate the reliability of the reporting of sexual activity. Men were required to keep daily logs of when they engaged in sexual activity and also to provide daily urine samples. These samples were microscopically evaluated for semen to substantiate their logs of sexual activity. Reports were found to be consistent with their written logs.
Some critics claim that changes in frequency of sexual behavior over time may be due more to changes in the reporting of behavior than to actual changes in frequency (Kaats & Davis, 1971). For instance, if we had done a study in 1995 about the number of college students that engaged in premarital sex and compared this to data collected in 1963, we would undoubtedly find more people reporting having had premarital sex in 1995. However, it could be that these higher numbers are due in part to the fact that more people felt comfortable talking about premarital sex in 1995 than they did in 1963. To ensure that we know the increase in numbers is actually due to an increase in behavior, it is necessary to take into account the time period of the study when evaluating the results.
Another problem affecting reliability involves the participant’s memory. Because many sexuality researchers ask questions about behaviors that might have happened in one’s adolescence, people may not always have the capacity to accurately remember in-
formation. For instance, if we were to ask a 52-year-old man the age at which he first masturbated, chances are good that he would not remember exactly how old he was. He would probably estimate the age at which he first masturbated. Estimates are not adequate for scientific study.
Question: How do you know that what people tell you is true?
The fact is that we just don’t know, and we hope that people are being honest. Sometimes researchers build into studies little tricks that can catch someone who is lying, such as asking the same questions in different wording again later in a survey. Researchers also anticipate that participants will understand the questions asked and be able to provide the answers. In actuality, researchers may take many things for granted.