Chapter 1: Exploring Child Development

1. Chapter 1:Exploring Child Development Using the Scientific Method: Research in Child Development By Kati Tumaneng (for Drs. Cook & Cook)

2. Descriptive Research Methods • Research methods that attempt to describe something about a behavior of interest, such as how often it occurs and under what conditions. • Naturalistic observation – observe child in natural environment • Structured observation – researcher creates environment • Self-report – child answers direct questions • Case studies – intensive studies of one child or small group

3. Correlational Research Methods: Measuring Associations • Researchers measure the degree to which two or more variables are related or associated. • Correlation coefficient – number that indicates direction and strength of an association between two or more variables • Positive coefficient – the scores on two variables go in the same direction • Negative coefficient – two variables have an inverse relationship • Magnitude – strength of the correlation • Correlation does not prove causation!

4. Correlational Research Methods: Measuring Associations

5. Correlational Research Methods: Measuring Associations

6. Experimental Research Methods: Determining Cause and Effect • Research method where investigators systematically manipulate an independent variable to determine if it causes a difference in dependent variable. • Independent variable (IV) – variable that is manipulated in the experiment • Dependent variable (DV) – outcome measured; dependent on manipulation of independent variable • Control other variables • Random assignment to groups – each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any of the groups • Research must ask if it is ethical to manipulate IV

7. Experimental Research Methods: Determining Cause and Effect

8. Methods for Assessing Development • Cross-sectional method – design that studies development by comparing groups of children of different ages against one another at the same point in time. • Can be completed in relatively short time period • Age not only difference in participants • Cohort effects – differences in behavior or other attributes that result from the unique experiences of people who grow up in different periods

9. Methods for Assessing Development • Longitudinal method – design that studies development by measuring or observing the same children across time as they grow and mature. • Allows more direct measurement of change over time • Problems are time involved, dropouts • May combine methods in hybrid design, such as cross-lagged or sequential.

10. Methods for Assessing Development

11. Ethics in Research with Children • Must follow ethical guidelines of American Psychological Association and the Society for Research in Child Development • Most important Ethical Standards • Risk v. benefits • Nonharmful procedures • Informed consent • Privacy • Implications of research • Need approval for projects from an institutional review board (IRB) http://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.pdf

12. Figure 1.4 on Slide 5: from Cook, J. L., & Cook, G. (2005). Child development: Principles and perspectives (1st ed.) (p. 23). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. • Figure 1.5 on Slide 6: from Cook, J. L., & Cook, G. (2005). Child development: Principles and perspectives (1st ed.) (p. 24). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. • Figure 1.7 on Slide 8: from Cook, J. L., & Cook, G. (2005). Child development: Principles and perspectives (1st ed.) (p. 27). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. • Figure 1.8 on Slide 11: from Cook, J. L., & Cook, G. (2005). Child development: Principles and perspectives (1st ed.) (p. 30). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. • All other images retrieved from Microsoft PowerPoint Clip Art.