This study was aimed at documenting the sexual behavior and practices of adolescent females in the U.S. Data on frequency of sexual behavior, use of contraception, pregnancy, childbearing, and abortion were collected. Basic background information on subjects was also collected, to allow investigation of how sexual behavior varies as a function of background.

A national probability sample was drawn of females aged 15 to 19 years old living in households in the United States. In addition, another probability sample was taken of female university students living in dorms. The samples together had a total of 4,611 women. Data were collected in mid-1971 via interviews by the Institute for Survey Research of Temple University in a five-month period centering on May 1971. Questions presumed to be more "sensitive" were included in a self-administered questionnaire.