Child Research Methods
Cross cultural Research
When research is carried out in different cultures and comparisons are made. The purpose is to identify if behaviour is universal. This indicates whether behaviour is a result of nature (biological) or nurture – the way the child has been brought up.
Evaluation
This is the main way of studying whether behaviour is due to nature or nurture.
May be ethnocentric – this means a researcher interprets findings based on own culture. However cross cultural research may aim to eliminate this
Ensures reliability as the same methods are used, and identifies whether traits are universal
Establishes whether behaviour is innate
Procedure may be understood differently in different cultures – this may lead to differences in findings
Longitudinal studies
A study that looks at the same pp’s over a length of time. This allows researchers to measure changes in individuals and how they develop. Examples include EPPE and NICHD studies of daycare
Evaluation
Same pp’s so there is control over pp variables
Only age changes so easier to make cause and effect conclusions. However many factors may affect an individual so may not be able to establish this
Time consuming and expensive – possibility of drop outs
Difficult to replicate
Large sample required to draw conclusions
Case studies
Case studies are detailed investigations of one person of a small group of people. Case studies use a range of methods to collect their data e.g. interviews, observations, psychological tests, experimentation. Data can be qualitative and quantitative. Case studies are used for unique cases or topic areas where it is inappropriate to study experimentally e.g. privation. The case of Genie used the case study method where observations, interviews and language tests were conducted to see whether she could overcome the effects of privation.
Evaluation
Generalisability – one off cases so difficult to apply to others
Reliability – researcher bias may limit reliability; however triangulation may increase reliability and increase objectivity
Validity – is high, as information collected is in depth and a detailed record can be created. As different methods are used to study the behaviour if they have the same outcome it is considered valid
Ethics – used when it would be unethical to test experimentally. Genie is an example of a topic area that can be studied using a case study; however also shows how the ethical issues are often broken e.g. protection from harm
Observations
Naturalistic: These observe children in their natural environment e.g. a playground.
Evaluation: This means the behaviour is more likely to be natural so it has high ecological and no demand characteristics as the child is unaware they are being studied.
However naturalistic observations are unreliable, as they cannot control extraneous variables which may occur in the child’s environment so cannot be replicared
Ethically, naturalistic observations usually involve studying participants in their natural environment so do not require informed consent HOWEVER this does not apply when observing children so consent must be gained if studying child behaviour in a playground
Structured: These take place in an environment that has been set up for the purpose of the observation. E.g. Strange situation
Evaluation: This means it is more reliable as the researcher has control over extraneous variables and the procedure can be repeated as it is standardised.
A problem of structured observations is that it may result in demand characteristics as the environment may be different and the child respond in a different way. As the behaviour may be different, this means it will lack ecological validity.
Cross cultural Research
When research is carried out in different cultures and comparisons are made. The purpose is to identify if behaviour is universal. This indicates whether behaviour is a result of nature (biological) or nurture – the way the child has been brought up.
Evaluation
This is the main way of studying whether behaviour is due to nature or nurture.
May be ethnocentric – this means a researcher interprets findings based on own culture. However cross cultural research may aim to eliminate this
Ensures reliability as the same methods are used, and identifies whether traits are universal
Establishes whether behaviour is innate
Procedure may be understood differently in different cultures – this may lead to differences in findings
Longitudinal studies
A study that looks at the same pp’s over a length of time. This allows researchers to measure changes in individuals and how they develop. Examples include EPPE and NICHD studies of daycare
Evaluation
Same pp’s so there is control over pp variables
Only age changes so easier to make cause and effect conclusions. However many factors may affect an individual so may not be able to establish this
Time consuming and expensive – possibility of drop outs
Difficult to replicate
Large sample required to draw conclusions
Case studies
Case studies are detailed investigations of one person of a small group of people. Case studies use a range of methods to collect their data e.g. interviews, observations, psychological tests, experimentation. Data can be qualitative and quantitative. Case studies are used for unique cases or topic areas where it is inappropriate to study experimentally e.g. privation. The case of Genie used the case study method where observations, interviews and language tests were conducted to see whether she could overcome the effects of privation.
Evaluation
Generalisability – one off cases so difficult to apply to others
Reliability – researcher bias may limit reliability; however triangulation may increase reliability and increase objectivity
Validity – is high, as information collected is in depth and a detailed record can be created. As different methods are used to study the behaviour if they have the same outcome it is considered valid
Ethics – used when it would be unethical to test experimentally. Genie is an example of a topic area that can be studied using a case study; however also shows how the ethical issues are often broken e.g. protection from harm
Observations
Naturalistic: These observe children in their natural environment e.g. a playground.
Evaluation: This means the behaviour is more likely to be natural so it has high ecological and no demand characteristics as the child is unaware they are being studied.
However naturalistic observations are unreliable, as they cannot control extraneous variables which may occur in the child’s environment so cannot be replicared
Ethically, naturalistic observations usually involve studying participants in their natural environment so do not require informed consent HOWEVER this does not apply when observing children so consent must be gained if studying child behaviour in a playground
Structured: These take place in an environment that has been set up for the purpose of the observation. E.g. Strange situation
Evaluation: This means it is more reliable as the researcher has control over extraneous variables and the procedure can be repeated as it is standardised.
A problem of structured observations is that it may result in demand characteristics as the environment may be different and the child respond in a different way. As the behaviour may be different, this means it will lack ecological validity.