Purpose of Research Project

The purpose of this research project is to identify and recommend a more effective approach to minimizing unwanted teenage pregnancy and STD transmission than those typically relied upon by government-funded programs.

Preliminary Perspective/Opinion of the Researcher

The preliminary perspective and opinion of the researcher is that all three hypotheses will be confirmed: providing birth control to teenagers will reduce unwanted teenage pregnancy more effectively than abstinence-only approaches; providing birth control and information about avoiding unwanted pregnancy to teenagers will be more effective when done confidentially; and providing information about avoiding STDs within a framework that acknowledged teenage sexual activity patterns will be more effective than any previous approach based on the abstinence-only concept.

Prospective Audience for Research Results

The intended audience for the research results includes educators responsible for advocating for effective ways to reduce unwanted teenage pregnancy as well as parents who do not yet appreciate the importance of accepting the reality of teenage sexual patterns and of respecting the privacy and autonomy of teenagers.

Research Plan

The research plan for this project will consist primarily of two main components:

1. A literature review of relevant sources of information on the relative effectiveness of various approaches to reducing unwanted teenage pregnancy and STD transmission.

2. A series of anonymous questionnaires/surveys distributed to high school students soliciting their beliefs, opinions, and personal experiences with sexuality and birth control issues and concerns.

Research Project Timeline

The anticipated timeline for this research project is that the initial literature review and the creation of the series of surveys will proceed simultaneously. The literature review will continue during the questionnaire/survey distribution, collection,...

Finally, the project will present the results of the literature review and of the questionnaires/surveys in a comprehensive analysis designed to provide definitive answers to the primary research question and sub-questions.
Tentative List of References for Literature Review

"Comprehensive Sex Education is More Effective at Stopping the Spread of HIV

Infection." American Psychological Association. Retrieved October 21, 2009, from:

http://www.apa.org/releases/sexeducation.html.

Editors. "Sex and Pregnancy among Teens." The Guttmacher Institute. (2006). Retrieved

October 21, 2009, from:

http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_sexEd2006.html

Feldman, Noah. (2005). Divided by God: America's Church -- State Problem and What

We Should Do About it. New York: Farrar, Strauss & Giroux.

Forrest, Simon. "Sex Education that Works." (2009). Retrieved October 21, 2009, from:

http://www.avert.org/sex-education.htm.

Gerrig, Richard, and Zimbardo, Philip. (2008). Psychology and Life. Princeton, NJ:

Pearson.

Guttmacher Institute. "Facts on Sex Education in the United States." Guttmacher

Institute. (Dec. 2006). Retrieved October 21, 2009, from:

http://www.guttmacher.org.

Mooney, Chris. (2005). The Republican War on Science. New York: Basic Books.

Rector, Robert E., Pardue, Melissa G., and Martin, Shannan. "What Do Parents Want

Taught in Sex Education Programs?" The Heritage Foundation. (2004). Retrieved

October 21, 2009, from:

http://www.heritage.org/research/abstinence/bg1722.cfm.

Sullivan, Amy. "How to End the War Over Sex" Time; Vol. 173, No. 12 (2009): 40-43.

Witmer, Denise. "Sex Education in Schools." Parenting Teens - Parents of Teenagers

Find Help Raising Teens. Retrieved October 21, 2009, from:

http://parentingteens.about.com/od/teensexuality/a/sex_education.htm.