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many Indian ten year olds know the meaning of words like 'sexual intercourse' and 'homosexuals'?).
It is not surprising then that Tikoo et al concluded that Indian adolescents have a limited knowledge of
HIV/AIDS and human sexuality.
A few quantitative studies have used the psychometric approach. Rating scales (Likert type or Guttman
scales) tend to impose the researcher's perspective on the respondent, thereby predetermining the
basic line of response. For example, Maitra and Schensul's (2000) study has used the Guttman scale
to 'sequence' sexual behavior. This compels respondents to 'sequence' their behaviour, irrespective of
whether they actually experience and enact it sequentially or not. The purpose of studying sequencing
remains unclear. Such studies raise the question of the appropriateness of using these methods.
Analysis: The data in the studies reviewed have been analysed using a range of statistical techniques
from descriptive statistics to multiple regression. In many of the studies, the data analysis is inadequate.
Quantitative studies, specifically those based on large-scale surveys, have used statistical analysis
techniques, both descriptive and inferential (bivariate and multivariate analyses) computed with the help
of data analysis packages such as the SPSS and Epi-Info.
Studies that have used quantitative analysis methods have generally presented the results in a series
of tables consisting of figures (frequencies, percentages or means) followed by cryptic descriptive
comments, without an analysis of the findings. Where explanations or assumptions are provided, they
are sometimes over-generalised (e.g., Tikoo et al, 1995; Maitra and Schensul, 2000). However, a
positive example is Bhende's (1994) study that has raised relevant questions to be considered in
interpreting the findings.
In many studies, the reasons for the prevalence of certain beliefs and behaviours vis a vis sexuality are
not examined and findings are not contextualised. Significant variables that offer scope for explaining
emerging trends are either not dealt with at all or are used to make generalisations that are obscure and
at times, offensive (Maitra and Schensul, 2000). A study on masturbation (Sharma and Sharma, 1998), for
instance, reports findings such as "Girls of educated mothers were likely to be 'masturbators'".
At times, researchers have drawn untenable conclusions and over-generalised their findings. Bansal
(1992) claims that substance abuse is “fairly common” amongst adolescent truck cleaners and that it
increases their vulnerability to HIV. An examination of the table showing substance use profile reveals that
2.4% of the respondents had used opium once and only 1% used it more than twice a week; 42.4% used
alcohol once and only 1% used it more than twice a week. Smoking and chewing tobacco were much more
common (66.7% and 4.3%respectively, more than twice a week), but in the context of substance abuse of
tobacco increasing vulnerability to risky sexual behaviour, Bansal's claim is unwarranted. Tikoo et al
(1995) claim to have conducted an in-depth study on adolescents aged 10 -17 years and states that this
study can be used as a baseline study. How can a survey based on written responses to a questionnaire
administered to students of one particular school be called an 'in-depth study'?
Implications for policy and action
The implications of research findings for policy and action are spelt out clearly in some of the studies
(Evans and Lambert, 1997; Khanna et al, 2000). Amin et al (1997) draw clear links between research
findings and implications for intervention programs. For instance, based on the explanatory model of
“the illness of the nether area” obtained from the data, the researchers suggest that acknowledging
variations in causality of such illnesses is an important factor to consider in program planning aimed at
reducing morbidity and mortality related to these diseases. Further, their finding that adults and children
hesitate to discuss sexual matters with each other out of fear of embarrassment and of losing respect
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