Methods of Male Sex Work Research: Recommendations and Future Research Opportunities

• Published date: 26 August 2019
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1521-613620190000024009
• Pages: 85-99
• Date: 26 August 2019
• Author: Navin Kumar

85

CHAPTER 5

METHODS OF MALE SEX WORK

RESEARCH: RECOMMENDATIONS

AND FUTURE RESEARCH

OPPORTUNITIES

Navin Kumar

ABSTRACT

Purpose – Exploration of the methodological aspects of male sex work is

rather limited. Without a strong methodological toolkit to draw from, research

in male sex work will not be able to accurately capture changes in the dynamic

sex work environment. Thus, the author provides a comprehensive review of

methods in male sex work along with a broad spectrum of methodological

insights through which future research can be advanced.

Methodology/approach – Drawing from two studies that the author conducted

in the male independent escorting space, this chapter provides a range of

methodological insights and offers avenues for future research.

Findings – This chapter reviews the methods used in male sex work research over

the years and details the lack of research on methodological inquiry in the eld.

Originality/value – With the increasing normalization and dynamism of male

sex work, it is necessary for the research to provide methodological guidance

for the next wave of studies in the eld. The recommendations and research

directions proposed herein are hoped to have implications for research in the

larger sex work context.

Keywords: Male sex work; male independent escorting; criminological

methods; internet men who have sex with men; online sex work

Methods of Criminology and Criminal Justice Research

Sociology of Crime, Law and Deviance, Volume 24, 85–99

Copyright © 2019 by Emerald Publishing Limited

All rights of reproduction in any form reserved

ISSN: 1521-6136/doi:10.1108/S1521-613620190000024009