Imagine that your Learning Team has received funding to study changes in sexual attitudes over time. Your task is to design a developmental research study to investigate this issue. Your teamwill outline one of the following: cross-sectional study, longitudinal study or sequential study.Identify which type of design your team decided to use and explain why you decided on this method. Complete the table below and submit it to your instructor.
Title: Investigating Changes in Sexual Attitudes over Time: A Longitudinal Study
Introduction:
The study aims to explore the changes in sexual attitudes over time, focusing on a longitudinal design. Longitudinal studies are a powerful method for examining developmental changes as they involve the observation of the same participants over an extended period. By tracking individuals’ attitudes at multiple time points, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of the changes that occur over time. In the context of studying sexual attitudes, a longitudinal design is particularly relevant as attitudes towards sexuality are shaped by numerous factors that may evolve over time, including cultural norms, media exposure, and personal experiences.
Research Questions:
1. How do sexual attitudes change from adolescence to adulthood?
2. What are the key predictors of shifts in sexual attitudes?
3. Do changes in sexual attitudes differ across gender and socio-cultural backgrounds?
Hypotheses:
1. We hypothesize that sexual attitudes will become more liberal over time due to increased exposure to diverse sexual information and cultural shifts towards more open discussions about sexuality.
2. We expect that individuals’ personal experiences, such as exposure to sexual education programs or meaningful relationships, will predict changes in sexual attitudes.
3. We anticipate that gender and socio-cultural backgrounds will influence the magnitude and direction of changes in sexual attitudes, with women and individuals from more liberal cultural backgrounds displaying greater changes over time.
Design and Method:
Type of Design: Longitudinal Study
Reason for Choosing Longitudinal Study:
The choice of a longitudinal design is crucial for capturing changes in sexual attitudes over time. This design allows for the examination of individual developmental trajectories, facilitating a more nuanced understanding of how sexual attitudes evolve. It also enables the assessment of within-person changes, reducing the potential bias associated with comparing different cohorts at a single time point. By following participants from adolescence into adulthood, we can study the stability and variability of sexual attitudes within individuals.
Sampling:
To ensure a representative sample, we will employ a stratified random sampling technique. We will recruit participants from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, taking into account factors such as gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographical location. The sample will consist of individuals aged 14-18 years at the baseline assessment, with regular assessments conducted at 2-year intervals until the participants reach the age of 30.
Data Collection:
Primary data collection will involve self-reported questionnaires administered at each time point. The questionnaires will include validated scales measuring sexual attitudes, such as the Multidimensional Sexual Attitudes Scale (MSAS) and the Sexual Opinion Survey (SOS). To ensure confidentiality and encourage honest responses, participants will have the option to complete the questionnaires online or on paper. Additionally, we will collect demographic information to examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on sexual attitudes.
Ethical Considerations:
Participants will provide informed consent, considering the sensitive nature of the topic. Ethical approval will be obtained from the relevant institutional review board, and all data will be anonymized and treated with strict confidentiality. Participants will also be provided with resources for support or further information, should they require it.
Data Analysis:
Data analysis will involve a combination of descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis will include calculating means, standard deviations, and frequencies of sexual attitude scores at each assessment point. Inferential analysis will be conducted through various statistical techniques, such as repeated measures ANOVA, hierarchical linear modeling, and regression analysis. These tests will allow us to examine both overall changes in sexual attitudes over time and individual differences in the rate and direction of change.
Conclusion:
By utilizing a longitudinal design, this study aims to provide insights into the changes in sexual attitudes over time. The comprehensive and longitudinal nature of the study will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing changes in sexual attitudes. The findings will have implications for educators, policymakers, and health professionals, informing the development of interventions and strategies to promote healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors across different stages of life.
