Research in Developmental Psychology Flashcards
Anecdotal Inquiry
based on personal experience or surfing the web
Scientific Inquiry
utilizes the scientific method
Foundation for Scientific Inquiry
Empiricism, operationalization, validity, reliability, objectivity
4 Steps of the Scientific Process
1) Form a hypothesis (a testable statement that anchors your research, starting point of the study)
2) Research Design (experimental method, correlational study, case study, observational, longitudinal, cross-sectional)
3) Data Analysis: allows for statistical significance
4) Publication of the research (used to share your findings and to open work for scrutiny)
Generalizability Definition
the ability to apply study results to the larger population accurately
2 Primary Ways to achieve Generalizability
1) Larger sample size N
2) Select a Random sample/random assignment so that all outside factors are neutralized
What is the purpose of publication for the scientific method?
To share findings with others and to open work to scrutiny
APA In-Text Citation
Author’s last name and year of publication (Field, 2005)
APA Full Reference
Author’s Last name, First Initial. (Year). Article Titel. Magazine/Journal/Newspaper title, Volume/Issue number, Page numbers.
Bias Definition
occurs when systematic errors are introduced into sampling/testing/selection which invalidates the results of a study/experiment
Participant Bias
?
Demand Characteristics
the participant figures out what the researcher is studying and act differently to help the researcher by altering their behavior to what they believe is expected of them
Hawthorne Effect
when people are being observed, they act differently
Researcher Bias
?
Solutions to Bias
1) Single Blind
2) Double Blind
3) Random Assignment
4) Operationalization
Single Blind Study
participants are blind to the conditions of the study (they don’t know what the researchers are trying to find)
this reduces participant bias
Double Blind Study
both participants and researchers are blind to the conditions of the experiment
reduces both participant and researcher bias
Random Assignment
ensures that every member of the sample has an equal chance of being placed in a control group or the experimental group
Operationalization
turning abstract conceptual ideas into measurable observations (How am I quantifying or measuring the variable of interest?)
Qualitative Research
focuses on obtaining data through open-ended questions
Example of Qualitative Research
Observational Designs
Quantitative Research
process of objectively collecting and analyzing numerical data to describe, predict, or control variables of interest
Example of Quantitative Research
surveys, polls, longitudinal studies, correlational research, experimental research
Experimental Method Process
isolate the variable (s) of interest and manipulate at least one variable to measure its effect on another variable
IV
variable that you manipulate or change. It is what you are exposing your participants to
DV
variable that you are measuring for change
Control Group
baseline group that doesn’t get the variable
(are given Placebo)
Control Group #2
Gets nothing
Experimental Group
Gets the IV
Confederate
a person that acts as a participant but is actually part of the research team.
Pros of the Experimental Method
the only research design that can determine cause and effect
It can uncover potential causality between IV and DV
Cons of Experimental Method
requires lots of time and money
Correlational Method
investigating the association/relationship between 2 or more variables. Correlation does NOT equal Causation!! simply collect data, no random assignment or manipulation is needed
Pros of COrrelational Method
Cons of Correlational Method
Third Variable Factor
this is the reason why correlation does not equal causation
Observational Methods
nonexperimental studies conducts through observation. They are not considered experiments because we don’t have control over any of the variables (example of qualitative research)
Naturalistic Observation
Field studies conducted out in the natural habitat of which you are observing. Doesn’t need consent since you are in a public setting
Controlled/structured observations
Conducted in a lab setting where you are inviting participants to a particular space to be studied.
Case Study Method
A carefully drawn account of an individual or set of individuals. Typically performed for rare or unknown phenomena (specific illnesses or disorder)
Pros of Case Study Method
rich in detail and is able to spotlight previously unknown phenomenon
Cons of Case Study Method
lack in generalizability and it is hard to maintain objectivity
Longitudinal Research Method
a type of observational, correlational, or other study design that involves monitoring a population over an extended period of time
Why is Longitudinal Research preferred in dev psych?
Preferable in the context of developmental psychology because it reveals how things progress/develop over time
Cross-sectional research
more efficient alternative to longitudinal studies. Rather than following the same group across time, researchers simultaneously assess 2 or more age groups at the same time
Pros of Cross Sectional
researchers are able to gather data from different age groups at the same time, requires less time and money in comparison to longitudinal studies
Pros of Cross Sectional
researchers are able to gather data from different age groups at the same time, requires less time and money in comparison to longitudinal studies
Cons of Cross Sectional
Doesnt reveal the reason behind the data/results
(Cohort Effect)
Cohort Effect
differences between age groups could be due to generational differences (culture) rather than age
APA Ethical Guidelines
1) Informed Consent: participants need to be given a brief description of what the study is for
Participation must be voluntary: and has to persist during the entirety of the participation
Participation must be confidential: participants must be assured that their identity is protected throughout the entire study
2) Do no harm: no mental or physical harm to participants
3) Deception: If deception is used, it cannot cause harm
Deception must be justified
Deception has to have proportionality: the cost of the deception to the participants has to be worth the reason/gain from the deception
4) Debriefing
Institutional Review Boards (IRB)
They are designed to review and monitor research that involves human subjects
American Psychological Association (APA)
Created after the aftermath of WW2, governing body that oversees psychological research. Created ethical guidelines for people to follow.
Vulnerable populations and ethics
Although there are a lot of guidelines, vulnerable populations are a lot more difficult (children, people with disabilities)
Historically, what groups have not been a focus of research, and who is left out (participants and researchers) lack of representation/diversity in research
