1. Developmental Psychology
Unit 1B:
Introducing
Research methods
32 Slides

2. Let’s look at the research involved in studying human development
32 Slides

3. Research Designs Type Characteristics Pros Cons Case Study
Study of individuals
Flexibility
Reduced generalizability
Ethnographic
Study of cultures
Universality of phenomena
Observer bias
Correlational
Positive or negative relationships
Enables prediction
Cannot establish cause & effect
Experiment
Controlled procedures
Establish cause & effect
32 Slides 3

4. Research Methods Quantitative Objectively measurable data
Standardized tests
Physiological changes
Qualitative
Non-numerical data
Feelings
Beliefs
32 Slides 4

5. Scientific Method: Quantitative Research
The scientific Method
1. Identify Problem
2. Formulate Hypotheses
3. Collect Data
4. Analyze Data
5. Form Conclusions
6. Share Findings
32 Slides 5

6. RESEARCH METHODS Two strategies for exploring causes
Experiments manipulating variables
The scientific method, independent and dependent variables, control groups, placebos, random assignments and “all things being equal”.
Ethics!
Correlational studies
Self Reports, Surveys, Case studies & Naturalistic Observations
Correlation does not mean Causation
We must be aware of and control for
Validity vs. Reliability (see later slide)
Bias
32 Slides

7. Data collection: Sampling
We can’t study the entire population of the world. So we have to take a sample. How that sample is chosen is important to the research.
Sample
A smaller group within the population
Studying the entire population is inefficient
A representative sample means that the research groups members represent the population being studied. If you want to study adults it would be stupid to have children in the sample studied.
32 Slides 7

8. Data collection: Sampling
Random samples are groups made of individuals in the population chosen with a statistically random approach. The scientist may randomly select his friends for the experiment, but his friends are probably representative of scientists making the sample corrupt because it is a specific group, not a random one. Randomness gives each person in population an equal chance of being in either the experimental or control group(s) which helps avoid unintentional differences between groups
The Nielsen ratings are a sample of the U.S. population that are tested to see what they are watching on TV. But it includes mostly white anglo saxon middle aged families. Do you think the Hispanic and Asian and Black families want to watch the same things? Nielson had a bad sample!
32 Slides 8

9. Data Collection: Self-Reports
Diaries
Recording daily activities
Interviews
Research ask questions about attitudes, opinions, or behavior
Can be open-ended or a questionnaire
32 Slides 9

10. Data Collection: Naturalistic Observation
‘People Watching’
Behavior is observed in natural settings without interfering
Limitations
Can not infer causes of behavior
Researcher cannot know all possible influences on behavior
32 Slides 10

11. Data Collection: Laboratory Observation
Behavior is observed and recorded in a controlled environment.
We are more likely to identify and control causal influences.
Limitation:
Observer Bias: A researcher’s tendency to interpret data to fit expectations.
32 Slides 11

12. Data collection: Validity and Reliability
The Validity and Reliability of the data must be assured.
Validity and reliability are not the same thing though we tend to use them interchangeably in our common speech.
My weight scale at home is very reliable. It gives me the same weight one minute after I last weighed myself. It does not fluctuate between weighings.
My scale at home is completely invalid. It is not valid because the weight it gives me is 10 pounds less than my actual weight. (I set it back to make me feel better). How about your alarm clock??
The lack of validity does not effect its reliable rendering of the same weight over and over again.
A test is valid only if it measures what it is supposed to measure.
32 Slides 12

13. Statistics There is a saying about statistics and their lies
You have to be sure what the facts are
Watch the video and think about what it is saying
Out cleans which of the top five vacuums? They are not comparing themselves to vacuums with cords and they do it so well you do not realize it!!
32 Slides

14. Behavioral and Performance Measures
Objective (rather than subjective) measures
Using Mechanical and electronic devices
Assessing skills, knowledge, and abilities objectively
Heart rate
Brain activity
Intelligence tests
32 Slides 14

15. There are many ways to gather Psychological data.
Research Methods
There are many ways to gather Psychological data.
Natural Observation
Interviews
Questionnaires
Case Studies
Experimental
Standard Testing
32 Slides 15

16. Research Methods – Named
Natural Observation
Naturalistic Observation is a type of voyeurism.
It involves watching people or animals in their natural habitat without controlling any aspect of the environment. No manipulation is allowed. The scientist simply records the activity. There is no information about why behavior is happening. The record of behavior will be analyzed later looking for correlations.
Interviews
Questionnaires
Case Studies
Experimental
Standard Testing
32 Slides 16

17. Naturalistic Observation Correlations
Correlations do not mean causations!
32 Slides 17

18. Naturalistic Observation Correlations
Snow in New York
Correlation – when one variable changes with respect to another. If both go in the same direction it is positive correlation. If both go in opposite direction then it is negative correlation.
The Correlational coefficient ranges from -1 to +1
What do you think the correlation is between these three pictures?
Sun and fun and ice cream eating in Sydney
32 Slides 18

19. Research Methods – Named
Natural Observation
Interviews
Face to Face questioning. Information is obtained by asking specific questions and recording the answers.
Interviews
Questionnaires
Case Studies
Experimental
Standard Testing
32 Slides 19

20. Research Methods – Named
Natural Observation
Questionnaires
Not a face to face approach. Subjects are presented with written questions and asked to write their answers on a computer or a piece of paper.
Interviews
Questionnaires
Case Studies
Experimental
Standard Testing
32 Slides 20

21. Research Methods – Named
Natural Observation
Case Studies
TIME! Longitudinal studies. Developing a record of many individuals over an extended period of time. Following them through their life and giving them questionnaires at different times during their life.
Interviews
Questionnaires
Case Studies
Experimental
Standard Testing
32 Slides 21

22. Research Methods – Named
Natural Observation
Experimental methods
Methods of gathering scientific data, in which procedures are closely controlled and the experimenter manipulates variables to determine how one variable affects others.
The independent variable is controlled and changed by the experimenter.
The dependent variable is “dependent” on the different phases of the independent variable.
Interviews
Questionnaires
Case Studies
Experimental
Standard Testing
32 Slides 22

23. Experimental Terms
Independent variable – Experimenter has direct control over this variable (heat in the room)
Dependant variable – Something that may or may not change as result of changes in independent variable (how much sweating occurs)
Experimental group – the group of subjects that are manipulated in the experiment.
Control Group – the group of subjects that are not given experimental changes.
Placebo – a “fake” variable given to a group to see if it effects the group. (Sugar pills instead of a drug)
32 Slides 23

24. Research Methods – Named
Natural Observation
Standardized testing
Many arguments surround the validity of the results of standardized testing. They are reliable, but how valid are they?
See the next slide for that discussion!
Interviews
Questionnaires
Case Studies
Experimental
Standard Testing
32 Slides 24

25. Measures: Operational Definitions
Defining what is abstract in objective terms is not always easy
What is Intelligence?
Is it just a score on a test?
What does the test actually score?
Are there different kinds of intelligence?
Emotional intelligence
Academic intelligence
32 Slides 25

26. Social Cognitive Neuroscience
An emerging field bridging mind, brain, and behavior
Uses data from:
Cognitive neuroscience
Social psychology
Info-processing approaches
32 Slides 26

27. Experiments: Location
Control over cause and effect varies depending on location:
Laboratory – most control
Field – controlled
Everyday settings
Home or school
Natural – least control
32 Slides 27

28. RESEARCH METHODS Cross-sectional studies:
Getting a single snapshot of groups
Different age groups compared at the same time
Gives differences between age groups
Does not tell us the changes that occur with age
Longitudinal studies:
The gold standard developmental science design
Test at intervals - one group over many years
Requires lots of time and expense
The longer it continues the more biased the sample becomes
Sequential studies:
A blending of both cross sectional and longitudinal studies
32 Slides

29. Longitudinal and Cross-sectional Designs
32 Slides 29

30. Sequential Designs
32 Slides 30

31. Emerging Research Trends
Quantitative research
Research scientists use a lot of statistical analysis
We must Quantify the differences within groups
Even Genetics is used as an independent variable
If you don’t like math – try clinical psychology
Qualitative research
Involves in-depth studies of individuals
32 Slides

32. Ethics
Balancing benefits or research against mental and physical risks to participants
Considerations
Right to informed consent
Avoidance of deception
Right to privacy
Confidentiality
32 Slides 32