A Missouri State University professor has cancelled a study on the correlation between penis and self-esteem over public reaction to the project and says that she has compromised the reliability of her research. Sociologist Alice Walker in June began soliciting pictures of penises as part of the study examining how the size of men’s genitalia affects sexual activity, condom usage, socialising and overall health. She was seeking at least 3600 men to submit photos of their flaccid and erect penises along with measurement information.

“I made this decision voluntarily,” Walker said in a statement. “I continue to believe the relationship between penis size and self-esteem is an important site of scientific inquiry, but the public reaction to the project threatens the reliability of the survey responses. The reliability of the study has been compromised.” The university said that all the submitted penis photos were stored in a secure research database and have now been destroyed.

Walker told the Springfield News-Leader she was soliciting photos through an online portal, hospitals and nightclubs – all outside of the southwest Missouri area, so that no friends or colleagues felt pressured to participate. Walker launched the study on June 18 and reportedly received a few hundred images by June 26.

Before ending the study, Walker explained the significance of the study to The New York Post, saying, “I’ve spoken to men who have been suicidal because of their anxiety and unhappiness with their size or perceived size. We need to be talking about men’s body dysmorphia and the way our society worships size and the way that worship impacts men.” Walker shared some preliminary anecdotal observations with the Springfield New-Leader. “I can’t tell you how many people submit measurements and believe they are average, but they are above average.” She said most studies show that the average length is 12.7 to 14.2cm.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2018 04:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).