Scientific Research Hypothesis: prediction drawn directly from a theory Research methods: activities of participants Research designs: overall plans for research studies
Research Methods Used with Infants Infants can be notoriously hard to study! Don’t talk States change Get side-tracked with latest developmental achievements Experimental Methods Experimental and control group Random assignment Independent/Dependent variables (IV/DV)
Research Methods Used with Infants Paradigms: paired preference (record looking time to each side) based on Habituation/recovery Response-contingent procedure (do a behavior; get a response) Physiological recordings Observational Methods: study natural variation in behavior Laboratory Observation (usually structured setting) Home Observation (done with typical setting)
Research Methods Used with Infants Qualitative Methods (researcher is participant observer) Verbal narratives (baby biographers): observe/record behavior Additional techniques Maternal/Paternal report Day care teacher report Examiner global ratings (eg: how sociable was infant?)
Systematic Observation Naturalistic Observation In the “field” or natural environment where behavior happens Structured Observations Laboratory situation set up to evoke behavior of interest All participants have equal chance to display behavior
Interviews Clinical Interview Structured Interview Flexible, conversational style Probes for participant’s point of view Accurate? Structured Interview Each participant is asked same questions in the same way. May use questionnaires, get answers from groups Not as in-depth
Case Study Brings together wide range of information, including interviews, observations, test scores Best used to study unique types May be subjective © Ami Beyer | Dreamstime.com
Correlational Design Researchers gather information and make no effort to alter their experiences. Correlation does NOT mean causation
Correlation Coefficients The magnitude of the number indicates the strength of the relationship. The sign of the number (+ or –) indicates the direction of the relationship. Figure 1.6
Correlation Coefficients Magnitude Size of the number between 0 and 1 Closer to 1 (positive or negative) is a stronger relationship Direction Indicated by + or – sign Positive (+) means as one variable increases, so does the other. Negative (–) means as one variable increases, the other decreases.
Independent and Dependent Variables Experimenter changes or manipulates Expected to cause changes in another variable Dependent Experimenter measures but does not manipulate Expected to be influenced by the independent variable
Can Musical Experience Enhance Intelligence? “Mozart effect” Must be long-lasting and participatory to provide lasting gains Figure 1.9
Laboratory Experiment Using Independent and Dependent Variables 4-5 yos Witness 2 adults arguing then tested for distress midway thru a 3rd argument Figure 1.7
Modified Experiments Field Experiments Natural Experiments Use rare opportunities for random assignment in natural settings Natural Experiments Compare differences in treatment that already exist Groups chosen to match characteristics as much as possible
Designs for Studying Development Longitudinal Same participants studied repeatedly at different ages Cross-sectional Participants of differing ages all studied at the same time Sequential Several similar cross-sectional or longitudinal studies are conducted at varying times. Microgenetic Participants are presented with a novel task, and their mastery is followed over a series of sessions.
Sequential Designs Figure 1.8
Children’s Research Rights Protection from harm Informed consent/assent Privacy Knowledge of results Beneficial treatments Photodisc Education 2 Royalty Free