Methods to study child development

Question 1

hypothesis… why is it important ?

Answer 1

-belief about how something works, must be tested

Question 2

interview (pros & cons)

Answer 2

-children answer questions

Question 3

naturalistic observation (pros & cons)

Answer 3

-children are observed in everyday settings

Question 4

structured observation (pros & cons)

Answer 4

-researcher creates a setting to elicit the behavior of interest

Question 5

correlational design

Answer 5

• look at relations between variables as they exist naturally in the world
• correlation does not equal causation

Question 6

experimental design

Answer 6

-a systematic way of manipulating factors that a researcher thinks cause a particular behavior

• dependent variable
• independent variable

Question 7

cross-sectional

Answer 7

• different ages are compared at one time
• pros: more practical & efficient, no repetition effects
• cons: cohort effects, can’t examine stability, continuity, or track individual differences

Question 8

longitudinal

Answer 8

• same children are compared over a substantial time period
• pros:individual patterns of development, capture change & stability
• cons: difficult, expensive, participant attrition, repetition effects

Question 9

micro genetic

Answer 9

-same children are compared over a short time period