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Developmental Psychology - Developmental Psychology Research

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    Study Guide Developmental Psychology – Developmental Psychology Research 1. Research Concepts 1.1 What Makes a Discipline a Science? Whether a subject like psychology is considered a science depends not on what it studies , but on how it studies it . A field is scientific when researchers use the scientific method . The scientific method is a step - by - step process that includes: • Careful and accurate observation • Collecting and analyzing data • Conducting experiments • Repeating (replicating) studies to check results Scientists work hard to stay objective , which means they try not to let personal opinions influence their work. They also value skepticism , meaning they question results until they are confirmed by other researchers. 1.2 What Is Developmental Psychology Research? Developmental psychology research uses scientific methods to study how people grow and change over time. This research helps us understand development in individuals and groups. Research usually begins with a theory . A theory is a broad set of ideas that explains why certain behaviors or changes happen. Because theories are too general to test directly, researchers create a hypothesis instead. 1.3 From Theory to Hypothesis A hypothesis is a clear, testable prediction based on a theory. Researchers test the hypothesis through a study.

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    Study Guide After the study: • If the hypothesis is disproved , it cannot be used to make predictions, and the theory may need to be questioned or revised. • If the hypothesis is not disproved , it can be used to make predictions about development. These predictions help researchers: • Explain why certain developmental changes occur • Understand how development affects individuals and groups 1.4 Populations, Samples, and Participants One main goal of developmental research is to find patterns, similarities, differences, and trends in development. • A population is the entire group of people being studied (for example, all teenagers). • The people from that population who take part in a study are called subjects or respondents . • A sample is a smaller group chosen from the population. If a sample accurately represents the population, researchers can generalize their findings to the entire group. The most accurate type of sample is a random sample , where every person in the population has an equal chance of being selected. 1.5 Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Researchers collect information in different ways: • Quantitative research turns information into numbers. Example: years in college may be coded as junior = 3, senior = 4. • Qualitative research focuses on words, descriptions, and observations. Example: interviews or watching behavior. While both types are useful, many scientists prefer quantitative data because it is easier to analyze statistically.

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    Study Guide 1.6 Making Sure Tests Are Accurate When researchers use tests, they check for two important qualities: • Validity – The test measures what it is supposed to measure. • Reliability – The test gives consistent results when used more than once. A good test must be both valid and reliable. 1.7 Understanding Data with Statistics To make sense of data, scientists use statistics , which are mathematical tools for analyzing information. There are two main types: • Descriptive statistics describe the characteristics of the sample or population. • Inferential statistics help researchers make predictions about the larger population. By using both types, scientists can draw meaningful and accurate conclusions from their research. Summary Research in developmental psychology follows a careful, scientific process. By using theories, testing hypotheses, collecting accurate data, and analyzing results with statistics, researchers gain a clearer understanding of how humans develop over time. 2. Research Designs and Methods Researchers study human development in many different ways. To do this effectively, they use research designs (how the study is set up) and research methods (how data is collected). Let’s break these ideas down step by step.

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    Study Guide 2.1 Major Research Designs 1. Cross - Sectional Design In a cross - sectional study , researchers compare people of different ages who share the same trait or characteristic. • All data is collected at one point in time • Helps show age - related differences quickly • Does not track changes over time 2. Longitudinal Design A longitudinal study follows the same individuals over a long period. • Participants are studied repeatedly • Shows how people change as they age • Takes a long time and may be costly 3. Cross - Sequential Design A cross - sequential study combines parts of both cross - sectional and longitudinal designs. • Different age groups are studied • These groups are tested more than once over time • Helps reduce problems found in the other two designs 2.2 Common Life - Span Research Methods Researchers often use one or more of these seven methods: • Case study • Survey • Observational • Correlational • Experimental

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