Lecture on Research Methods in Human Science

Introduction to Human Development Research

• Focus on specifics of human development science.
• Importance of research ethics, especially with children as a protected population.
• Misinterpretation of outcomes from human development studies by the general public.
• Aim: Equip students with tools to address misconceptions about healthy child development.

Experimental vs. Observational Research

• Statement: "The best way to do research in child development is to conduct experiments."
  • Common belief: True, due to cause and effect identification.
  • Reality in human sciences: False due to ethical concerns.

Ethics in Human Science Research

• Example: Researching the effects of child abuse.
  • Experimentally unethical to manipulate child abuse.
  • Need multiple observational and experimental research designs.

Natural Experiments

• A type of experiment without random assignment.
• Comparison groups are naturally formed based on existing experiences.
• Issue: Lack of control for confounding variables.
• Provides insights but highlights the presence of unknown confounding variables.

Observational Studies

• Naturalistic Observation: Not considered an experiment.
  • Simply describes natural behaviors without manipulation.
  • Patterns may suggest group differences to be tested in experiments.

Selection Approaches in Child Development Research

• Cross-Sectional Approach

  • Compares different age groups at a single point in time.
  • Limitations:
    • Cohort effects may confound data.
    • Only provides average differences, not individual variations over time.

• Longitudinal Approach

  • Tests the same participants at different ages.
  • Advantages:
    • Reduces cohort effect risks.
    • Shows both average and individual changes over time.
  • Drawbacks:
    • Time-consuming and costly.
    • Participant attrition over time.

• Microgenetic Approach

  • Tests the same participants over short periods (days/weeks).
  • Useful for observing rapid developmental changes in young children.
  • Example: Assessing strategy changes in problem-solving.
  • Reveals detailed change processes and responses.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on understanding these research methods for upcoming exams.
• Encouragement to review additional lecture materials.