1. Defining Development

2. Learning Outcomes Define the study of human development
List the steps usually involved in the scientific method.
Describe the two major research methods used by developmental researchers.
Identify ethical issues that arise in human development research.
Due next week:
Application Assignment 1- Timeline of Germinal Events
Quiz 1

3. What is development? Development Nature versus Nurture
Define
Questions
Critical and sensitive periods
Continuous Change versus Discontinuous Change
Lifespan perspective
Domains
Stages

4. Continuous vs. Discontinuous Change
It’s as easy as riding a bike! Describe the act of bike riding from a continuous versus a discontinuous perspective.
Age
Continuous
Discontinuous 3 11 36
© 2009 Allyn & Bacon Publishers

5. Continuous vs. Discontinuous Change
Just in case it is still puzzling….
Describe putting a puzzle together from a continuous and discontinuous perspective:
Age
Continuous
Discontinuous 3 11 36

6. Lifespan Perspective Multidirectional Multicontextual Multicultural
Multidisciplinary
Plastic

8. Domains and Stages of Development
Biosocial
Cognitive
Psychosocial
Stages:
Infancy/Toddler
Early Childhood
Middle Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Late Adulthood

9. How do we know what we know?
Scientific Method
A systematic means for answering scientific questions
Set of rules for gathering and analyzing information
Steps in the Scientific Method (5)
Quantitative versus Qualitative
Two Major types of studies:
Experiments
Correlation Studies

10. Scientific Method Five basic steps of the scientific method: Question.
Develop a hypothesis
Test
Draw conclusions.
Report the results.

11. Testing: Using the Scientific Method Research Methods
Quantitative Methods- generalize to a population
1. Experimental
Variables:
independent variable- dependent variable-
Groups
2. Correlation
Qualitative Methods- generalize to a process/experience
Involves interview and observational data

12. The Experiment
Professor W noticed her students struggling with understanding the steps of the scientific method. She wanted to create a sensational demonstration for her students to help them learn. Her question:
Does a demonstration using visual aids make a greater impact in learning?
Variables?
IV/DV

13. The Experiment
QUESTION: Does a demonstration in using color make a more sensational demonstration than a demo with no color?
HYPOTHESIS:
TEST:
Experiment
The Variables (identify which variable is IV/DV):
DRAW CONCLUSION

14. Correlational Studies
Studies relationship between two or more variables
No control of variables, determines relationship only
Surveys, questionnaires, and interviews
Types
Correlation and causation

15. Correlation Coefficients
Number indicates strength of relationship
-1.00 to +1.00
Stronger correlations indicate greater relationship (away from 0); closer to 0 the weaker the relationship
Positive sign
As one variable increases the other increases
Negative sign
As one variable increases other decreases; inverse relationship

16. Figure 1.7  Correlation
Correlation, a research method used for prediction, shows how two variables are related.

17. Ethics
Each academic discipline and professional society involved in the study of human development has a code of ethics.
Researchers must ensure that participation is voluntary, confidential, and harmless.
Subjects (participants in research) must give informed consent- they must understand the research procedures and any risks involved.

18. Ethics, cont. Milgram Experiment:
© 2009 Allyn & Bacon Publishers

19. Turn and Talk
Think about the deception of participants in the eacher-learner "shock" experiments. 
How do you weigh the deception against the claim that the experiments couldn't have been done if participants knew their real purposes? 
Think of the apparent harm done to participants (stress, anxiety, hostility, etc.).  How do you balance this harm against the knowledge obtained from the studies?
© 2009 Allyn & Bacon Publishers

20. Wrap Up Turn in folders Due next week:
Application Assignment 1- Timeline of Germinal Events
Quiz 1