Ethical Guidelines
A participant must decide to participate in an experiment of their own free will.
Voluntary Participation
A condition that the experimenter systemically manipulates, changes, or varies in order to determine its effect on another variable
Independent Variable
The larger group of research interest from which a sample is drawn.
Population
A smaller group of participants selected from, and representative of, the characteristics of the larger population of research interest.
Sample
It provides rich detailed data but can be difficult to statistically analyse.
Qualitative
Calculated by adding up all the scores in a set of data and then dividing by the number of score
Mean
The extent to which an assessment tool produces consistent results.
Reliability
The stage during which the development of abstract thought is a key milestone
Formal Operational
Positive and happy when caregiver returns – will seek proximity and maintain contact. (reaction to reunion)
Secure
Clarifying each participant’s understanding of the nature of the study after deception has been used
Debriefing
Any variable other than the IV that can cause a change in the DV
Extraneous Variable
A sample in which every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
The participants exposed to the independent variable in order to observe its effects on their behaviour or experience
Experimental Group
Information that is observable, measurable, verifiable and free from the personal bias of the researcher.
Objective
Visualisations that summarise statistical information about data such as mean scores in table form
Summary Table
Whether or not the measure is stable over time or between people
External Reliability
Infants use their senses and motor abilities to learn about the world around time (looking, hearing, touching, mouthing, and grasping)
Sensorimotor Stage
Will play and explore the environment independent of care giver (secure base)
Insecure Avoidant
Researchers must ensure that those taking part in research will not be caused distress.
Protection from Harm
It is a clear and concise statement of what the researcher is trying to find out
Aim
It doesn't involve the manipulation of variables, and is often used in research where it is unethical or not possible to manipulate variables.
Non-experimental Research
Researchers study and gather data from the same cohort of participants over a period of time to track development changes.
Longitudinal
A closed-ended response format in which individuals provide numerical responses to a set of statements or questions.
Rating Scales
Used to graph correlational data
Scatterplot
Whether the effects observed in a study are due to the manipulation of the independent variable and not some other factor.
Internal Validity
A child's ability to understand that objects still exist after they are no longer in sight
Object Permanance
Babies form an attachment to one figure; usually the mother
Monotropy
Refers to the participant’s right to privacy in terms of access, storage and disposal of information related to the research.
Confidentiality
The ways in which each participant varies from the other, and how this could affect the results e.g. mood, intelligence
Participant Variable
The sampling technique most likely to result in a sample that is representative of the target population, meaning results can be generalised.
Strength of Random Sampling
Breaking a population into groups based on shared characteristics and a random sample is then selected from each stratum
Stratified Sampling
Predetermined questions, but the order of asking them can be varied by the researcher depending on the circumstances and the answers that are being elicited
Semi-structured Interview
Used to plot discrete data such as comparing the mean scores of experimental and control groups
Bar or Column Graphs
The extent to which results or findings obtained from a sample are applicable to a broader population
Generalisaibility
The major developmental milestone of the Concrete Opeational stage
Conservation
Intensely distressed when the caregiver leaves. (separation anxiety)
Insecure Resistant
Relates to the type of personal information that is collected and stored, and who has access to that information.
Privacy
Predicts the nature of the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable, and predicts in which direction the change will take place.
Directional Hypothesis
A non-experimental study designed to measure the degree of relationship two existing traits, behaviours or events.
Correlational
Researchers study and collect data from different cohorts of participants at the same time, to look at age differences / development changes.
Cross sectional
Allows research question to be studied thoroughly from different perspectives and the strengths of quantitative methods will counterbalance the limitations of qualitative, and vice versa
Strength of Mixed Methods
r = -0.3
Weak Negative Correlation
One thing needed for generalisability
The sample needs to be representative of the population
Extraneous and potential confounding variables must be controlled
Measures must be reliable and valid
A child learns to use language but does not yet comprehend the mental operations of concrete logic. Children increase their mental representation of objects, generally through make-believe play
Pre-operational Stage
If an infant is unable to develop a warm, intimate, and continuous relationship with its mother, then the child would have difficulty forming relationships with other people and be at risk of behavioural disorders
Maternal Deprivation