Module 2 (Psyc 140)
1. Longitudinal Study Design
-Research in lifespan development
-involves following individuals over a long period of time with multiple assessment points
-enables researchers to tease out whether a phenomenon is due to developmental change (the
person becoming older, more mature, etc.) or something inherent in the individual
-explore what qualities change over time and what qualities remain stable
-longer the study, the more time and resources are needed. Also, it is difficult for people to
commit multiple years (or decades) of their lives to a single study.
advantages of using a longitudinal design:
enables researchers to tease out whether a phenomenon is due to developmental change (the
person becoming older, more mature, etc.) or something inherent in the individual
disadvantages of using a longitudinal design:
long study
more time and resources are needed
difficult for people to commit multiple years (or decades) of their lives to a single study.
2. Cross-sectional study
compares different age groups at the same time.
groups are compared to each other
subjects are not followed over time
doesn't adequately observe how the children developed
examines how they are currently
,more time-efficient
participants may be less likely to drop out of the study
disadvantages of cross-sectional studies
subjects are not followed over time
design doesn't adequately observe how the children developed---
it simply examines how they are currently
Advantages of cross-sectional studies
more time-efficient
participants may be less likely to drop out of the study
Cross-Sectional Study types
A. Naturalistic Observation
B. Case study
C. Survey/ Interview
D. Correlational Research
E. Experiments
A. Naturalistic Observation (Cross-Sectional Study types)
involves:
observing a research subject outside of a research setting
in a more natural location
Example of A. Naturalistic Observation (Cross-Sectional Study types)
Jean Piaget routinely observed his children at play at home.
Today, researchers may conduct naturalistic observations in school settings.
B. Case study (Cross-Sectional Study types)
, involves:
direct observation of research subjects
interviewing the participant in great detail
**is a very detailed examination of an individual.
C. Survey/ Interview (Cross-Sectional Study types)
involves:
Surveys ask questions about attitudes, opinions, and the frequencies of certain behaviors
administered anonymously, such as via the Internet or mail, or in person
If administered in person, take place in an interview format.
D. Correlational Research (Cross-Sectional Study types)
involves:
knowing how two variables, or things, relate together
use statistics to indicate the degree and direction of the relationship
degree of the relation tells you how strong the correlation is
direction indicates whether both variables increase together (positive relationship) or of one
variable increases, the other decreases (a negative, or inverse, relationship).
Example of D. Correlational Research (Cross-Sectional Study types)
do the number of friendships that people have increase with age?
An example of a negative association or relationship would be
as one gets older, one throws fewer temper tantrums.
E. Experiments (Cross-Sectional Study types)
1. Longitudinal Study Design
-Research in lifespan development
-involves following individuals over a long period of time with multiple assessment points
-enables researchers to tease out whether a phenomenon is due to developmental change (the
person becoming older, more mature, etc.) or something inherent in the individual
-explore what qualities change over time and what qualities remain stable
-longer the study, the more time and resources are needed. Also, it is difficult for people to
commit multiple years (or decades) of their lives to a single study.
advantages of using a longitudinal design:
enables researchers to tease out whether a phenomenon is due to developmental change (the
person becoming older, more mature, etc.) or something inherent in the individual
disadvantages of using a longitudinal design:
long study
more time and resources are needed
difficult for people to commit multiple years (or decades) of their lives to a single study.
2. Cross-sectional study
compares different age groups at the same time.
groups are compared to each other
subjects are not followed over time
doesn't adequately observe how the children developed
examines how they are currently
,more time-efficient
participants may be less likely to drop out of the study
disadvantages of cross-sectional studies
subjects are not followed over time
design doesn't adequately observe how the children developed---
it simply examines how they are currently
Advantages of cross-sectional studies
more time-efficient
participants may be less likely to drop out of the study
Cross-Sectional Study types
A. Naturalistic Observation
B. Case study
C. Survey/ Interview
D. Correlational Research
E. Experiments
A. Naturalistic Observation (Cross-Sectional Study types)
involves:
observing a research subject outside of a research setting
in a more natural location
Example of A. Naturalistic Observation (Cross-Sectional Study types)
Jean Piaget routinely observed his children at play at home.
Today, researchers may conduct naturalistic observations in school settings.
B. Case study (Cross-Sectional Study types)
, involves:
direct observation of research subjects
interviewing the participant in great detail
**is a very detailed examination of an individual.
C. Survey/ Interview (Cross-Sectional Study types)
involves:
Surveys ask questions about attitudes, opinions, and the frequencies of certain behaviors
administered anonymously, such as via the Internet or mail, or in person
If administered in person, take place in an interview format.
D. Correlational Research (Cross-Sectional Study types)
involves:
knowing how two variables, or things, relate together
use statistics to indicate the degree and direction of the relationship
degree of the relation tells you how strong the correlation is
direction indicates whether both variables increase together (positive relationship) or of one
variable increases, the other decreases (a negative, or inverse, relationship).
Example of D. Correlational Research (Cross-Sectional Study types)
do the number of friendships that people have increase with age?
An example of a negative association or relationship would be
as one gets older, one throws fewer temper tantrums.
E. Experiments (Cross-Sectional Study types)
