Chapter 2

a useful theory

produces falsifiable predictions that can be tested with empirical research

overcome problems of artificiality in the laboratory and increase real-life applicability or ecological validity of a study

conduct a laboratory analogue experiment

laboratory analogue experiment

duplicate features or events that occur naturally in everyday life in the laboratory, but the exact duplication of natural circumstances is not the aim of all experiments

quasi-experiment

not a true experiment - research participants not randomly assigned to experimental conditions, but are selected because of their natural exposure to the conditions

when to conduct quasi/natural experiments

when there are ethical or practical concerns

advantages of cross-sequential design

• look at age-related changes in children’s behaviour and look at the stability of individual differences because they test the same children repeatedly

• examine practice effects (if being assessed more or less often has any impact)

• explore cohort effects

• saves time

national survey approach

select a large, nationally representative group of participants - usually use stratified sampling to make sure participants from different demographics are represented in the same proportions as they exist in the population

studying cross-culturally

informative, but difficult and expensive to conduct

experience sampling method (ESM)

collects real-time data on people's feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and activities in their natural daily lives, using repeated prompts via smartphones or diaries to reduce recall bias

problem of naturalistic observation

reactivity, observer bias

types of direct observation

naturalistic and structured

children’s rights in social development research

• being fully informed

• give informed and voluntary assent

• not being harmed in any way

• can withdraw from the research

• informed of the research results

• confidentiality

• full compensation

• beneficial treatments after the project is completed