Methods and Designs | Developmental Psychology
The Psych Professor・25 minutes read
Understanding research methods and design is crucial in developmental science, involving the scientific method, hypotheses, and different study types like observational, experimental, and longitudinal. The distinction between theories and hypotheses is important, with theories supported by evidence and hypotheses tested through data collection and analysis in child development research.
Insights
- The scientific method is foundational in child development research, involving hypothesis creation, data collection, and statistical analysis to draw conclusions, distinguishing between basic and applied researchers in the field.
- Various research designs, from observational to longitudinal studies, offer unique perspectives in child development, with methods like interviews, surveys, and physiological data collection providing valuable insights into cognitive and behavioral processes across different age groups.
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Recent questions
What is the scientific method in child development research?
The scientific method in child development research involves starting with an observation or question, creating hypotheses, collecting data, and drawing conclusions based on statistical analyses.
What are the two types of scientists in child development?
In child development, there are two types of scientists: basic researchers and applied researchers.
How do observational studies contribute to child development research?
Observational studies in child development research involve observing and documenting behavior in a naturalistic setting, providing valuable insights into human behavior and development.
What is the difference between correlational and experimental studies in child development research?
Correlational studies in child development research explore the relationship between two variables but cannot establish causation, while experimental studies involve manipulating an independent variable to establish causation through random selection and assignment of participants.
What methods are commonly used in child development research?
Common methods used in child development research include interviews, surveys, psychophysiology, and voluntary responses, each providing unique insights into various aspects of child development.
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Summary
00:00
Essential Research Methods in Child Development
- Understanding research methods and design is crucial for being critical consumers of developmental science
- Research in child development follows the scientific method, starting with an observation or question
- The scientific method involves creating hypotheses, collecting data, and drawing conclusions based on statistical analyses
- There are two types of scientists in child development: basic researchers and applied researchers
- The distinction between theories and hypotheses is essential, with theories being supported by evidence from multiple studies
- A hypothesis is a possible explanation for an observation that can be refuted or accepted based on data
- Research design includes observational, correlational, experimental, case, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies
- Observational studies involve observing and documenting behavior in a naturalistic setting
- Correlational studies explore the relationship between two variables but cannot establish causation
- Experimental studies involve manipulating an independent variable to establish causation and require random selection and assignment of participants
19:02
"Exploring Developmental Research Methods and Findings"
- Experimental design can infer causal relations between variables; case studies are common for exploring unique circumstances, like Jody's brain surgery outcome.
- Case studies, like Jody's, reveal the brain's plasticity in compensating for lost functions, showcasing unique outcomes.
- Cross-sectional studies compare different age groups at the same time, useful for understanding age-related differences in behaviors like empathy.
- Longitudinal studies track the same participants over time, offering insights into developmental changes, like cortisol levels in freshman students.
- Interviews, surveys, psychophysiology, and voluntary responses are common methods in child development research.
- Interviews, like the Sally and Anne task, test children's abilities and perspectives, revealing developmental differences in theory of mind.
- Surveys and questionnaires measure temperament or language, ensuring validity and reliability in data collection.
- Physiological data collection, like EEG or MRI, provides insights into brain activity and development, while eye tracking reveals cognitive processes in infants.
