SUMMARY - Self-report was probably the best way to gather this type of information. Perhaps a written questionaire would have given more accurate information than having the adolescents interviewed by adults who tend to intimidate younger people and may cause them to answer according to what they thought the adult might like to hear. Considering that it was a verbal interview, it was probably a good idea to have someone of the same sex asking the questions so the level of embarassment was reduced and answers could be given more freely. The answers may vary depending on how the question is worded as well. It might have been useful to ask who they have dated in the past in addition to who they would and are now dating. This type of report may not give a completely accurate description of what is going on in the lives of youth because their definition of dating may be different than an adult definition. Or perhaps it is because even though it is different, it is their version of the adult ritual.