Doing developmental research: a practical guide

Addressing practical issues rarely covered in methods texts, this user-friendly, jargon-free book helps students and beginning researchers plan infant and child development studies and get them done. The author provides step-by-step guidance for getting involved in a developmental laboratory and crafting effective research questions and proposals. Tips on recruiting study participants cover access issues--such as how to overcome language and cultural barriers--and include helpful sample scripts. The book offers time management strategies, pointers for organizing and communicating data, and a roadmap of the journal publication process, complete with an annotated sample article. Numerous concrete examples, checklists, worksheets, and exercises are featured. Reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. Pedagogical Features: *Chapter subheadings written as questions to help students quickly find the answers they need. *Boxed key tips and checklists for managing each phase of a study. *Exercises that build core research skills. *Annotated sample journal article with commentary on the writing and publication process"

Subject Areas/Keywords: child development, children, developmental psychology, developmental research methods, developmental science, early childhood, infancy research, infants, parents, preschoolers, research laboratory, research studies DESCRIPTION Addressing practical issues rarely covered in methods texts, this userfriendly, jargonfree book helps students and beginning researchers plan infant and child development studies and get them done. The author provides stepbystep guidance for getting involved in a developmental laboratory and crafting effective research questions and proposals. Tips on recruiting study participants cover access issues--such as how to overcome language and cultural barriers--and include helpful sample scripts. The book offers time management strategies, pointers for organizing and communicating data, and a roadmap of the journal publication process, complete with an annotated sample article. Numerous concrete examples, checklists, worksheets, and exercises are featured. Reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size"

Machine generated contents note: 1. Selecting a Laboratory2. Your First Days and Weeks in the Laboratory3. Time Management4. Developing Your Ideas and Immersing Yourself in the Culture of Research5. Developing Your Research Question and Proposal6. Recruitment and Access7. Organizing and Planning Your Research8. Strategies for Statistics9. Planning to Write Up Your Research10. Selecting a Journal and Establishing Authorship11. Communicating Your ResearchIndexAbout the Author