Using Surveys to Assess the Prevalence of Sexual Harassment: Some Methodological Problems

Abstract

Problems and issues associated with using survey methodologies to develop estimates of the prevalence of sexual harassment are summarized. Problems with respect to the definition of sexual harassment in survey research, response sets, the use of retrospective self‐report measures, sample selection bias, validity and reliability, and generalizability are addressed. Recommendations are offered in terms of conducting such survey research in future efforts to assess sexual harassment, as well as establishing relationships between reports of sexual harassment and other relevant variables.