Title:
The developmental scientist's companion : improving research methodology and achieving professional success / J. Steven Reznick, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Author:
Reznick, J. Steven, author.
Publication Information:
New York : Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Call Number:
BF713 .R49 2017
Abstract:
Written by one of developmental science's foremost methodologists, The Developmental Scientist's Companion provides an engaging and accessible guide to the scientific techniques that have been devised to investigate human development. Adopting an original approach to what can be a dry yet essential topic, Reznick enlivens his coverage of key issues in developmental methodology - measuring psychological phenomena, assessing reliability and validity, experimental design, interviews and surveys, data collection and analysis, and interpreting research results - with discussion of his own experiences of those various techniques, gained over a substantial research career. The Companion concludes with practical tips for improving the field and navigating a path to professional success. Reznick's "behind-the-scenes" view of empirical research and career progression, told with wit, wisdom, and insight, is essential reading for students, young researchers, and other academics launching their careers in developmental science. -- from back cover.
ISBN:
9781107194281
9781316645604
Physical Description:
ix, 210 pages ; 24 cm.
Subject Term:
Contents:
The broad goals of science : Historical roots of knowledge accrual ; Science as a source of knowledge ; What is explanation? ; Is scientific knowledge truth? -- Developmental science in context : Exploring an open system ; Meeting translational goals ; Social science versus physical science ; Going beyond research on human behavior ; Genetics, genomics, and epigenetics ; Moving forward in adopting an appropriate perspective on biology -- Defining constructs and variables : Top-down constructs ; Bottom-up variables ; The interaction between constructs and variables ; Reflective and formative approaches ; Homotypic versus heterotypic constructs -- Multifaceted developmental constructs ; Inventing new constructs -- Validating measurement : Validity ; Reliability ; Multiplicity ; Multiple measurement trials and levels ; Measurement using multiple procedures and perspectives ; Combining across measurements -- Designing developmental research : Measuring age ; Selecting the best ages for conducting assessments ; Time as the historical context of research ; Cross-sectional, longitudinal, research ; Methodological difficulties in longitudinal research ; Design challenges of clinically relevant research -- Selecting a sample : Competence of participants ; Demographics of participants ; Assessing demographic differences ; Number of participants ; Recruiting an optimal sample ; Implications of range of individual differences in sample ; Identifying and interpreting homogeneous subsets ; Participants in clinical research ; The evolution of traditional animal behavioral models ; The pros and cons of using modern animal models to investigate diseases -- Collecting behavioral data : General approaches for collecting behavioral data ; Where should we conduct our measurements? ; Evoking behaviors appropriately ; Measuring relevant behaviors ; Metrics of measurement ; Qualitative versus quantitative measurement -- Interviews & surveys : Creating effective questions and answers ; Parent-report and cross-cultural challenges ; Optimal survey format ; Administrative interview -- Analyzing data : Exploratory data analysis ; Identifying bogus data and outliers ; Analyzing missing data ; Assessing the significance of statistical significance ; Modeling -- Interpreting research results : General concerns ; Interpreting correlations ; Interpreting correlations ; Interpreting change over time ; Interpreting clinically relevant data ; Harvesting conclusions in the context of discovery ; Meta-analyses -- Building better developmental science : Better research support ; Promoting diversity of culture and ethnicity ; Supporting and improving professional organizations ; Sharing our harvest ; Promoting construct unity -- Becoming better developmental scientists : Identifying and navigating a successful career path ; Publishing our research ; Acquiring and maintaining our data analytic skills ; Enjoying and harvesting from teaching -- Attaining efficacy, efficiency, and excellence.
Personal Author:
