Let’s Talk About Sex(uality): A Content Analysis of the Inclusion and Measurement of Sexual Identity and Sexual Orientation in Published Criminological Research

Time and again, criminology has been criticized for its lack of inclusion in research regarding diverse populations. Scholars continuously call for criminological research to diversify its focus and measurements, particularly regarding individual characteristics such as race, sex, gender, and, more recently, sexuality. This study utilizes summative content analysis to examine the inclusion, measurement, and context of sexuality and sexual orientation in all articles published between 2011-2020 from four criminological and criminal justice (CCJ) journals. Specifically, we explored to what extent sexuality is incorporated in the selected publications among the sections of each article and if it varies among journals, if sexuality is being measured in the empirical articles examined and, if so, as what type of variable, if the calls for inclusion in 2014 changed the amount of sexuality included in articles, and if the gender makeup of the author team impacts inclusion of sexuality. Results indicate that sexuality and sexual orientation are rarely mentioned in the literature and are measured even less. While sexuality is included more as time passes, much of this is limited. Additionally, articles published by female authors and within the more gender-specialized journal incorporate sexuality more frequently while still limited.