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Methods of Studying
IV: Methods of Studying Human Development
Term | Definition |
---|---|
The Scientific Method | Identify research questions or problem, gather information, summarize information and make decision regarding hypothesis, interpret summarized information |
Naturalistic Observation | observation in natural, real-world environments |
Structured Observation | observation in controlled environments |
Social Desirability Bias | when respondents give answers to questions that they believe will make them look good to others, concealing their true opinions or experiences |
Surveys, Questionnaires, Interviews | the person under study answers questions about his or her experiences, attitudes, opinions, beliefs, and behavior |
Open Ended Interview | a trained interviewer uses a conversational style that encourages the participant, or person under study, to expand his or her responses by varying the order of questions, probe, or ask additional questions based on responses |
Structured Interview | an interviewer poses the same set of questions to each participant in the same way |
Methods of Data Collection | observation, self-report measures, physiological measures |
Electroencephalography (EEG) | measures electrical activity patterns produced by the brain via electrodes placed on the scalp; researchers study fluctuations in activity that occur when participants are presented with stimuli or when they sleep |
Computerized Tomography (CT) | compiles multiple x-rays images to create a 3D image of a person's brain; density of brain structures, bone, brain vasculature, & tissue; illustrate how the thickness of the cortex changes w/ development |
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) | involves injecting a small dose of radioactive material into the person's bloodstream to monitor the flow of blood; images can illustrate what parts of the brain are active as participant view stimuli and solve problems |
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) | measure brain activity w/ a powerful magnet that uses radio waves and to measure blood oxygen level(more active=higher); researchers able to determine which parts of the brain are active as individuals complete cognitive tasks |
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) | uses MRI machine to track how water molecules move in fibers connecting parts of the brain gauges the thickness & density of the brain's connections permitting researchers to measure the brain's white matter & determine changes that occur with development |
Case Study | an in-depth examination of a single person |
Correlational Research | describes the strength of the relationship between two or events or characteristics; permits researchers to examine relations among measured characteristics, behaviors, and events |
Experimental Research | used to test hypotheses about causal relationships |
Dependent Variable | what is measured in an experiment, can change as the independent variable is manipulated |
Independent Variable | the factor that is proposed to change the behavior under study |
Cross-Sectional Research Designs | compares groups of people of different ages at a single point in time ex.) 15-year-olds, 20-year-olds, and 25-year-olds studied in 2020 |
Longitudinal Design | follows the same group of participants over many points in time ex.) 15-year0olds in 2010, 20-year-olds in 2015, 25-year-olds in 2020 |
Cohort Effect | time of birth or generation (not actual chronological age) creates the effect |
Sequential Research Designs | combines the best features of cross-sectional and longitudinal research by assessing multiple cohorts over time, enabling scientists to make comparisons that disentangle the effects of cohort and age |
Informed Consent | participants' informed, rational, and voluntary agreement to participate |
Child Assent | children's agreement to participate; get consent from their parents |
Passive Consent | default is consent, which requires opting out; procedures typically involve notifying parents about the research and requiring them to reply if they do not want the child to participate |
Confidentiality | responses will remain confidential and not be disclosed to others |
Applied Developmental Science | a field of study that examines the lifelong developmental interactions among individuals and their contexts and applies these findings to prevent and intervene in problems and promote positive development |