Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

4. Interview: • A type of survey that is conducted face-to-face or over the phone • Limitations: Individuals may not wish to answer certain questions about sex, drugs, or other illicit behaviors o Example: Elderly women may not want to answer these sorts of questions and may change their answers to something more acceptable 5. Case Study: • Researchers report and analyze a life history, attitudes, behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and actions of a single individual in a given culture • In-depth study • Limitations: expensive, subjects may drop out, move, die, or forget about the study. Research Designs: 1. Longitudinal Study a. Involves studying the same group of individuals over a LONG period of time b. Researcher can compare a group of people at one age to themselves at a different age c. Changes over time are studied d. Limitations: expensive to conduct; subjects may drop out, move, or chose to leave the study 2. Cross-Sectional Study a. Compares individuals at various ages b. Groups of people in the study are different in age but similar in other aspects c. Research is done at one point in time and is likely a snapshot of the population d. Limitations: difference in populations may not be due to age, and variables are difficult to control 3. Cross-Sequential a. Combines longitudinal and cross-sectional studies

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