METHODOLOGY OF SURVEY-DESIGN FOR INTER-CULTURAL SEXOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS

8. Methods of survey design

The general principles for survey design are simple: three types of information can be included to help draw conclusions about the respondent:

Objective, non-parametrized information (gender, age, ethnic background, etc.)
Parametric statements which are not semantic groups
Semantic compositions (sexological categories) designed within the methodological framework

In studying human behavior in intimate areas, it is always necessary to take into account the dependence of such behavior on social groups, and on the individual's personality. It is also necessary to note that intimate behavior is usually connected with, and dependent upon the behavior of a partner [9 c. 74]. The creation of a particular investigative "tool" always pre-supposes answer to the following questions: on what basis the questionnaire is designed, and in what manner, and with what aim the survey will be carried out. So, before designing the questionnaire, one should have a clear picture of who exactly will participate in the survey. This can be achieved by direct face-to-face communication. The question of methodology is answered in the above discussion, and the question of aim is, naturally, one for the investigators themselves.

As an illustration, we present below a list of five parametric statements (1-5) and two (6-7) which should be included in every "semantic composition." Five is the ideal number of choices because it is the minimum number that promises meaningful statistical results, and if there too many choices, then the respondent may have difficulty processing the general structure of the parameters, and the system of "reverse anticipation" will not be activated.

Semantic Composition:

1. People must not discuss sexuality.
2. A person should discuss sexuality only with a specialist.
3. There are some themes which be should freely discussed, and others which can be left alone.
4. We should talk about anything, as long as the discussion benefits people.
5. It's so important to talk about sex!
6. It is difficult for me to answer.
7. I do not wish to answer.

Positions 1, 2, and 3 correspond to the personality structure "Parent" (the texts refer to duty), 4 corresponds to "Adult," and 5 to "Child." Position 6 is neutral and will be chosen if the respondent does not have the particular quanta. Position 7 expresses a negative attitude towards the survey process in general.

Authors can, of course, use their discretion to set up questionnaires in whatever way they choose, to reveal the structures "Parent," "Adult," and "Child."

9. Conclusion

In this way, on the basis of the theory of functional systems, used to develop the ecological model of sexuality, a model has been worked out to investigate sexuality with the use of surveys. When designing a questionnaire, it is necessary to define the factors you wish to analyze, and to express them using semantic compositions. After that, you can carry out the survey and subject the data to statistical analysis. This method will greatly help the specialist in his investigations.

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Sexuality and Addictions Questionnaire

In work:

"Technique to present results of sexological surveys using the system of social-personal coordinates."

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