METHODOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF SEXUAL ATTITUDES AND LIFE-STYLES

The preparation and fieldwork for the National Survey of Sexual Attitu des and Lifestyles was carried out between 1987 and 1991. The survey w as a combination of a face-to-face interview and self-completion quest ionnaire and comprised 18876 individuals aged 16-59 years in Great Bri tain. The response rate was similar to other sample surveys on less se nsitive topics. Women were overrepresented but the distributions of ot her demographic characteristics were similar to other data sets. The e xternal validity and internal consistency of the data were found to be adequate. The likely sources and effects of bias are discussed.