Week 1c

Goals of Developmental Psychology 

To Describe: to observe human behaviour to describe how humans change overtime and describe trends and individual variations 

To Explain: to explain and try to understand why humans develop as they typically do, and why some people turn out different than others 

To optimize development: apply what eve learned in hoping to help individuals in developmental stages in life 

Scientific method and steps involved

* a series of steps taking by researchers to assure observations are accurate/verifiable
* researchers must be objective and allow their observations and data to decide the merits of the theorizing
* Steps involved
* Scientists: identify the problem or question
* Always: formulate a hypothesis
* Create: design and conduct experiments
* Experiments: Collect and analyze data
* Using: Use appropriate tools and methods
* Logical: draw logical conclusions
* Processes: Report and communicate

Theory of Scientific method

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* a set of concepts and propositions designed to organize, describe and explain an existing set of observations 

Hypothesis definition

a specific assumption or prediction - must be testable to determine accuracy

\*\*Theories should be parsimonious, falsifiable, and general ideas

Criteria for the scientific method:

* all are necessary in research


* Objectivity: scientific knowledge may not be distorted by researcher's preconceptions/biasesReliability: extent to which the measuring instruments give consistent results - over time and across observersReplicability: if researchers used similar procedures, they would yield similar results Validity: extent to which the measuring tools accurately reflect the intended purpose

Types of Research

Basic research

* conducted to advance general knowledge

Applied research

* designed to solve practical problems

Action research

* designed to provide data that can be used in social policy making

Methods of Data Collection: Observation

Observation

* naturalistic - observing individuals in their natural environment during everyday life;
* controlled - observing individuals in a formal (lab setting)

Methods of Data Collection: Self Report

Self-report

* Interviews
* structured - all participants are asked the same questions
* clinical - questions are tailored to each individual, each question determined by the preceding answers
* Questionnaires: participants respond to standard questions using pencil & paper method

Methods of Data Collection: Experiments

Experiments

* a change is introduced, and the effect is measured; experimental group is exposed to treatment, control group is not exposed to treatment
* Dependent Variable: the variable that remains constant
* Independent Variable: the variable that is manipulated to reach treatment goals

Method of Data Collection: Quasi-Experiment

Quasi-Experiment

* measures the impact of a naturally occurring event
* ethical considerations prevent experimental control

Ecological Validity:

when the experimental settings diverge too far from natural environment, behavior is often modified

Longitudinal Research Design:

* The same participants are observed or interviewed over a long period of time (can be months-years


* same people at different ages 
* can test the development and stability of attributes 
* Disadvantages: Practice effect - participants get used to the testing method, attrition - loss of participants over time, cross-generational effect - an event impacting a population (cohort effect, eg. People who lived through 911

Cross-Sectional Research Design:

* Participants from different age groups are observed or studied at the same point in time (less time consuming than longitudinal


* different people at different ages observed at a different point in time 
* Disadvantages: cohort effects - differences in age groups may impact results

Microgenetic Research Design:

* Intensely observing development over short periods, especially when children are on the verge of change

Cohort Sequential Research Design:

* Combines longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches by studying several cohorts over a period of time


* Disadvantages: similar to the disadvantages for the two it combines

Triangulation

when a researcher combines 2+ techniques to confirm their conclusions

Ethics in research:

must get informed consent, provide freedom from harm, and confidentiality