Sampling Problems

Sexuality studies routinely involve the use of college-age populations. Brecher and Brecher (1986) refer to these populations as samples of convenience, because the par­ticipants used are convenient for researchers who tend to work at universities. Kinsey used such samples in his initial research at Indiana University. The question is, can these studies be generalized to the rest of the population? Are college students similar to non­college students of the same age, or people who are older or younger? Probably not. These samples also miss certain groups, such as those who do not go to college, and may also underrepresent minorities and the disabled.