Types of Developmental Research Designs
Cross-sectional Design
A cross-sectional study compares the behaviors of different age groups at a single time point.
most common in developmental research
less time-consuming and less expensive than the other methods
Longitudinal Design
examine the same individuals over a period of time; regular intervals
Longitudinal research takes time. Sometimes people quit before it ends. This is called attrition. Researchers should start with larger samples as people will leave. But some groups may leave more than others. For example, people who are sick, poor, or less educated may quit more. This can make the results less accurate because the people who stay are not representative of the whole population.
takes a long time
Sequential Design
include elements of both cross-sectional and longitudinal studiesÂ
Ethnography
focuses on the lived experience of people, usually as detailed by the research participants (also called “informants”) and as observed by the researcher relies heavily on participant observation
Cohort Design
longitudinal study in which researchers monitor and observe a chosen population over an extended period of time, with no particular aim
Case study
Observation
Survey and Interview
Questionnaire
Ethical Issues in Developmental Research
Informed Consent Protection of individuals’ rights Right to withdrawal Debriefing Confidentiality Deception