Difficulties With Methodology in Social Science Research With Controversial Issues Regarding Human Sexuality

Abstract

Social science is commonly used in debates about controversial issues, especially for those concerning human sexuality. However, caution must be exercised in interpreting such social science literature, because of a variety of methodological and theoretical weaknesses that are not uncommon. Families are complex structurally and over time; such data are not easily analyzed. Merely determining the number of, for example, sexual minority families has been a difficult task. While some new theories are popular with social scientists, for example, sexual minority theory, they are often used to the exclusion of other, equally valid theories and often are not well tested empirically. Some types of families remain relatively unexamined. Social scientists can be biased by their own values, which are reflected in weak use of theory and in a variety of methodological problems. Eight studies are presented as examples of probable confirmation bias, in which methods and theory were modified in unusual ways that may have affected the outcomes and conclusions. Suggestions for improving social science include greater attention to effect sizes rather than statistical significance per se, deliberately minimizing the politicization of science, developing a culture of humility with respect to social science, deliberately reducing common biases, and maintaining a deeper curiosity about social science than is often seen. Scientists must be open to seeing their best “sacred cow” ideas or theories disproven or modified with increases in research on such issues. Summary In controversial areas of social science, there can be numerous threats to the validity of science. Here, some of the more common risks for social science research and theory are examined, with several specific illustrations of how bias appears to have crept into social science, often as confirmation bias. Recommendations are made for reducing bias in future research.

Ethical considerations for research with sexual and gender minorities

“…Gleisberg et al (25) 2022 Problemas metodológicos encontrados durante la encuesta trans bodies, trans selves Big data, method and the ethics of location: a case study of a hookup app for men who have sex with men Light B et al (26) 2018 Ybarra et al (30) 2016 Consideraciones éticas en el reclutamiento en línea y la implementación de un programa de prevención del VIH Self-consent for HIV prevention research involving sexual and gender minority youth: reducing barriers through evidence-based ethics Fisher et al (31) 2016 Actitudes de los jóvenes hacia el permiso del tutor para un ensayo de adherencia a la profilaxis previa a la exposición (PrEP)…”

“…(25) Otro aspecto relevante es la falta de conciencia de los sesgos que podría llevar fácilmente a investigadores a aceptar como válidas investigaciones de muy baja calidad. (26) Esto se podría mejorar realizando una introspección reflexiva considerando mejoras en el diseño metodológico y la posterior implementación de la investigación. (27) En la actualidad la investigación moderna depende en gran medida de las nuevas tecnologías, entre ellas el internet junto a los dispositivos móviles.…”

“…Algunos autores discuten entre que metodología es más válida para llevar a cabo la investigación en minorías sexuales y de género. (7,25,26,27,35,36) Los estudios pueden tener mayor validez científica cuando se realizan Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología. 2023; 3:647 6 investigaciones cualitativas o de métodos mixtos, ya que pueden capturar experiencias más complejas, como por ejemplo, estigma intersectorial y opresión, que no pueden ser representados fácilmente en estudios puramente cuantitativos.…”

“…(35) Algunas investigaciones suelen ser incorrectas debido a estudios de menor tamaño, estudios no aleatorios, estudios sesgados a favor de ciertos subgrupos, mediciones de mala calidad y análisis estadísticos más débiles. (26,37) En personas trans, el diseño transversal es útil para identificar inequidades que experimentan y puede ayudar a mejorar los cambios en políticas y prácticas que disminuyan el maltrato, discriminación, violencia y aumenten el acceso a la salud, cuidado, vivienda, empleo y educación. Por el contrario, el diseño longitudinal identifica los cambios a lo largo del tiempo y en contextos sociales cambiantes.…”

Recurrence Pattern Is an Independent Surgical Prognostic Factor for Long-Term Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Numerous studies have focused on pathologic, radiologic, and biologic data, and many predicting systems have been developed [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The treatment design should be delicately discussed by a multidisciplinary team to incorporate ablation, trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and surgery.…”