Child Development

Research

Basic research

Builds psychology’s research knowledge base and is driven out of curiosity or interest in a topic.

Applied research

Attempts. to solve practical problems and apply solutions

WEIRD

Western, educated, industrialized, rich, democratic.

Case study

In-depth investigation of a individual or small group who may have a highly unusual trait.

Naturalistic observation

Occurs when researches collect observations of natural, ongoing behavior.

Surveys

Provides self-reported data about attitudes, behaviors, or characteristics.

Cross sectional study

Study people of different ages (cohorts) at the same point in time.

Cohort

A group of people or subjects who share a common characteristic, attribute, or experience and are observed over time

Longitudinal study

Study the same group of people over time

Scientific method

a systematic process for gaining knowledge about the world, involving steps like making observations, asking questions, forming a testable hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

Correlational research (positive vs. negative)

There is a relationship or pattern between the values of two variables.

Experiments

a structured procedure designed to test a hypothesis, discover new information, or demonstrate a known fact by manipulating variables under controlled conditions.

Control group

Comparison group, people who do not receive experimental treatment

Experimental group

the group of people exposed to the treatment (independent variable)

Random selection

each member of a group has an equal chance of being chosen as a participant

Random assignment

each member stands an equal chance of being in the experimental or control group

independent variable

variable that is changed

dependent variable

variable affected by the change