week 2 Research in Human Development

Theories of Development

Summaries of explanations for how people remain the same or change over time.

Cross-Cultural Research

Investigates the universality of development versus culturally determined aspects.

Scientific Method

A system of scientific inquiry involving posing questions, developing hypotheses, testing them, and reporting results.

Quantitative Research

Research that involves objectively measurable data, such as standardized tests.

Qualitative Research

Research that involves non-numerical data, including feelings and beliefs.

Representative Sample

A group chosen to represent an entire population, crucial for research validity.

Observation

A research design involving watching behavior in a natural context without manipulation.

Case Study

An in-depth investigation of an individual or small group, providing detailed data.

Correlation

A research design that examines the association between variables but does not imply causation.

Experiment

A research design involving the manipulation of variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured in an experiment to see if it changes due to the independent variable.

Longitudinal Study

A research design that follows the same sample over time to detect changes.

Cross-Sectional Study

A research design that measures age-related differences by examining different age groups at one time.

Ethics in Research

Considerations, such as informed consent and participant protection, that must be adhered to when conducting studies with human subjects.

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment

An unethical study that violated principles of informed consent and beneficence, leaving participants untreated.

The Belmont Report

A document outlining ethical principles for research involving human subjects: Respect for Persons, Beneficence, Justice.

Research Journal Article

A structured document presenting research findings, commonly including abstract, introduction, methodology, results, and discussion.