1.3 Doing Developmental Research

Question 1

What are the four methods of measuring topics of interest in human development?

Answer 1

1. Systematic Observation - includes naturalistic observation and structured observation.
2. Self-Reports
3. Assigning Tasks
4. Physiological Measurements

Question 2

What criteria must a successful experiment meet?

Answer 2

Researchers must determine their measures are reliable and valid.
They must obtain a sample representative of some larger population.

Question 3

What are the two most basic designs used to study human development.

Answer 3

Correlational studies

Experimental studies

Question 4

Correlational Studies

Answer 4

Examine relations among variables as they occur naturally. Often measured by a correlation coefficient from -1 (strong inverse relation) to 0 (No correlation) to 1 (Strong positive relation).

They cannot determine cause and effect.

Question 5

Experimental Studies

Answer 5

Allow conclusions about cause and effect but require strict control of other variables which can make it more artificial.

Question 6

What are the three complex designs used in human development?

Answer 6

1. Longitudinal - same people retested over time.
2. Cross-Sectional - testing testing people of different ages at one time.
3. Sequential - using both longitudinal and cross sectional.

Question 7

What is Meta-Analysis?

Answer 7

How researchers integrate results from multiple studies to estimate the relations among variables.

Question 8

What ethical procedures must researches follow?

Answer 8

1. Minimize Risk
2. Informed Consent
3. Avoid Deception/Correct deception as feasible
4. Maintain confidentiality and anonimity

Question 9

How do Investigators communicate results from research studies?

Answer 9

They publish their findings in scientific outlets.