Chapter 1: Exploring Child Development

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Chapter 1Exploring Child Development

• Using the Scientific Method Research in Child
  Development

• By Kati Tumaneng (for Drs. Cook Cook)

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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

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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!

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Correlational Research Methods Measuring
Associations
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Correlational Research Methods Measuring
Associations
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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

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Experimental Research Methods Determining Cause
and Effect
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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

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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.

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Methods for Assessing Development
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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

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• 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.