Developmental Research Designs

Question 1

what are Developmental Research Designs?

Answer 1

Used to study changes in behavior associated
with age

Developmental Research Designs Cannot use random assignment

Usually amounts to a correlational study

Question 2

what is Cross-Sectional Method?

Answer 2

Compare different age groups at one point in time.
(Example: Compare 5-year-olds, 10-year-olds, and 15-year-olds today.)
✅ Quick and easy
❌ Different people, not true change over time

Disadvantage: cohort effects (generation effects)

Cohort: group of people born at the same time

Question 3

Cohort effects:

Answer 3

effects due to unique experiences of a
particular generation rather than age itself

Question 4

Longitudinal Method

Answer 4

Study the same group of people over a long time.
(Example: Follow the same kids from age 5 to 15.)
✅ See real change over time
❌ Takes a long time, people might drop out

Cohort effects are not an issue when drawing
conclusions about the specific generation
May be cross-generational effects – conclusions
may not apply to other generations

Question 5

Other problems of longitudinal designs

Answer 5

Mortality (attrition)

Multiple-observation effects
Improved performance on tests over time
(practice effects)

Participants may try to be consistent over time

Reactivity = When people change their behavior because they know they are being watched

Still, longitudinal designs allow you to see the
development of behaviors

Question 6

Sequential Method

Answer 6

• combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal
• observe different age groups
• follow those age groups over time

(Example: Study 5-year-olds and 10-year-olds now, and check back in a few years.)
✅ Faster than pure longitudinal, still shows changes
❌ Still a bit complicated and expensive