Lecture 1 - Part 2 Flashcards
Experimental designs
what is a cross-sectional design
a study where a few groups of differently aged children are given the same task, and the results are compared
what are two advantages of using a cross-sectional design
it is time / cost efficient
it provides a fast and easy method for revealing similarities and differences between different ages
what are two limitations of using a cross-sectional design
they do not tell us much about the process of development
they do not tell us how developmental changes emerge
what is a longitudinal design
a study that examines the behaviours of the same group of children over a very long period of time
what are two advantages of a longitudinal design
it can show the stability of a behaviour in somebody
it can reveal how early abilities are related to subsequent behaviours
what are two limitations of a longitudinal design
repeated testing may change the course of a child’s development, therefore not a true reflection of it
subjects may learn from previous exposure / get bored with the repeated task
what is a microgenetic design
a small group of children on the verge of a developmental change are tested repeatedly over a short-term period to study change as it is occurring
what is the quote from Harris (2008) about experimental designs
“any account of developmental change is constrained by the methodology adopted to uncover that change”
