What are the Natsal surveys?
The National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) are among the largest and most detailed scientific studies of sexual behaviour in the world. The first Natsal survey was carried out in 1990 and has been repeated approximately every 10 years since.
Natsal uses probability sampling method to randomly select people from across Britain, ensuring that the results are broadly representative of the British population. So far, more than 45,000 people have taken part in the surveys.
The surveys are conducted face-to-face in participants’ homes by a trained interviewer using computer-assisted questionnaires (CAPI). For more sensitive topics, participants self-complete sections of the questionnaire themselves (CASI). This protects participants privacy and helps encourage honest responses.
By using a consistent methodology over time, the Natsal surveys provide a unique source of evidence on how sexual behaviours, attitudes and relationships have changed across generations and over time.
For more information on the Natsal studies, see this blog from Natsal’s Academic Director Soazig Clifton.