Week 7 Lecture Flashcards
What does correlational research do?
Quantifies the strength of the relationship between two or more variables.
Cross-sectional design in developmental research is differential research
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Research
Cross-sectional designs are faster:
Can test many age groups simultaneously.
But cohort effects can be a problem:
Defined as “shared life experiences of people of a given age that lead them to behave similarly to others their age and different from people of other ages”.
Longitudinal designs are essentially time-series designs.
Would prefer longitudinal designs, but…
Can correlations be used for prediction?
Yes.
Can correlation prove a theory?
No but it may negate it.
Can correlations establish causation?
No.
What do differential research methods do?
Compare two or more preexisting groups.
What research is differential research similar to?
Correlational and experimental research.
What research is differential research conceptually similar to?
Correlational research
Why is differential research conceptually similar to correlational research?
Variables measured, but not manipulated.
Are cross-sectional designs faster?
Yes, because they can test many age groups simultaneously.
Can cohort effects be a problem with cross-sectional designs?
Yes, “shared life experiences of people of a given age that lead them to behave similarly to others their age and different from people of other ages”.
What are longitudinal designs essentially…
Time-series designs.
What is preferable; longitudinal designs or cross-sectional designs?
Longitudinal.
Can correlational or differential research establish causation?
No.
Is correlational or differential a higher level of constraint?
Differential.
Why is differential a higher level of constraint than correlational?
The researcher can select the comparison group(s) to control at least some of the potential confounding variables, thus providing stronger evidence for a theory.
