schaffer and emmerson study

Question 1

Good external validity

Answer 1

P-A strength is that Schaffer and Emmerson’s study was carried out in the families own homes
E-most of the observation was actually done by parents during ordinary activities and reported to the researcher later
E-This means that behaviour of the babies was unlikely to be affected by the presence of observers, so there is an excellent chance that participants behaved naturally while being observed
L-This is a strength as it means the study has good external validity

Question 2

Longitudinal design

Answer 2

P-A strength of the study was that it was carried out longitudinally
E-This means that the same children were followed up and observed regularly
E-The quicker alternative would’ve been to observe children at different ages, known as cross sectional design
L- however longitudinal studies have better internal validity because they do not have the confounding variable of individual differences between participants

Question 3

Limited sample characteristics

Answer 3

P-The sample size of 60 babies and their carers was good considering the large volume of data gathered on each participant
E-However, the fact that all the families involved were from the same district and social class in the same city and at a time over 50 years ago is a limitation
E-Child rearing practices vary from one culture to another and one historical period to another
L-This is a limitation as the results do not generalise well to other social and historical contexts.