Surveying Sexualities: Minimizing Survey Error in Study of Sexuality

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of survey error in the study of sexualities. I focus on survey error in terms of coverage, nonresponse, measurement, and coding issues. In addition to examining survey research issues in the study of sexualities, I also review nonprobability sampling approaches, including time-location sampling, respondent-driven sampling, and internet surveys. I then examine different forms of survey error in three probability surveys: the Chicago Health and Social Life Survey (CHSLS), the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), and the New Family Structures Study (NFSS). Although some type of survey error is an issue in each survey, the NFSS appears to be impacted substantially by all four forms of survey error. These examples highlight the need for continuing attention to survey methodology when asking questions about sex.