Research & Evaluation of Scientific Studies of Development Flashcards
Scientific Method
- Observations
* Theories
What is a theory?
- Logical system of general concepts that provide framework for organizing & understanding observations
- Attempt to organize & summarize existing facts
- Should be TESTABLE
What is a hypotheses?
- Prediction tested in research
* Based on theoretical perspective or observation
What are the characteristics of research?
- Systematic
- Objectivity
- Measurebility
Systematic
• Have a plan before conducting the research
Objectivity
• Researchers work to reduce bias
Measurebility
- Reliability
- Validity
- Replicable (other researchers who use the same method should get the same result)
What types of studies can be conducted?
- Descriptive studies
- Case studies
- Correlational research
- Experimental research
- Quasi-experimental research
- Cross-sequential research
- Longitudinal
- Cross sectional
Descriptive studies
- Description of observations
* In the lab or in the field
Case Studies
- Research involving a single individual, group or family
- Limited generalizability/external validity
- USEFUL WHEN THERE IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (ex. phineas gage’s case)
Correlational study
- Widely used in developmental studies
- examines relationship btwn. 2 or more variables
- Positive correlation
- Negative correlation
- Scatterplots demonstrates degree of correlation
What is the correlation coefficient?
-1≤v1
Experimental Research
- Examines cause & effect by manipulating variables
* Systematically change 1 variable to examine the effect on the other (IV & DV)
Quasi-experimental
• like experimental, but targeting a group
Longitudinal
• Study of changes overtime • Disadvantages - Attrition: ppl dropping out of the study - outdated mesures - $
Cross- sectional
Examines diff. groups
Cohort
Cross cultural
Cohort
- Ppl that were born w/ groups that are starting things together
- Ex: 90’s babies
Methodology: Sampling techniques
- Random
- Stratified
- Matched
- Volunteer
Random sampling
• Everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected
Stratified sampling
- Sample proportioned to the population that exists
- Typically selected based on a common factor
- Used in large population studies
Matched sampling
- Control group matched to experimental group
* Issues related to validity
Volunteer
• Usually educated females
Sampling Issues?
- Representativeness
- Generalizable
- History of exclusion (race, ethnicity)
What methodologies can be used to collect data?
- Direct observation
- Lab observation
- Questionnaires/surveys
- Standardized test
- Physiological measures (ex. measuring heart rate)
- Sources of info.
Sections of APA paper
- Intro
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Undue Bias
What is in the intro of a APA paper?
- Literature review
- Background info
- Theoretical perspective
- Purpose
- Intro to study
- How it will contribute to the field
- Research Q’s & Hypotheses
What is in the methods section of a APA paper?
- Who, what, when, where
- Study design
- Participants
- Consent/Approval
- Research setting
- Procedures
- Measures
What is the results section of a APA paper?
- Quantitate or Qualitative
- Illustration of data
- THEORIES ARE SUPPORTED, NOT PROVEN
What is in the discussion section of a APA paper?
- Summary
- Integration of results
- Implications of findings
- Recommendations (policy, treatment, behavior change)
- Limitations to the study
- Future Studies
Who approves researchers studies?
- APA
- Diff. Agencies
- Society for research & development
- Society for research on adolescence
- Institutional review boards
- Special population studies
Ethical Guidelines
• No harmful procedures (mentally or physically)
•No undue stress
• Appropriate settings
• Consent from parents
any harm, effect, duration, ALL procedures
• Assent
- child indicate positive response to participation in the study
- study explained
• Incentive
•Deception
- if there is any, must be debriefed as much as possible
• Anonymity
- limit access to institutional records
• Confidentiality
- Identity & data cannot be disclosed
Quantitive data
Data which can be measured.
Qualitative data
deals with descriptions
