Doing Developmental Research A Practical Guide [Hardcover]

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.
*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.

"A wonderful how-to guide. Unlike typical research methods texts, the book addresses the many practicalities of becoming an effective developmental researcher, including how to choose a lab, identify a worthy research question, recruit participants, write an IRB protocol, network at conferences, publish an article, and more. In a conversational style, Striano provides nuggets of wisdom, illustrative quotes, and many interesting, creative exercises that reinforce the content and provide practice with key skills. I haven't seen any other book like this. It will be a useful adjunct to standard research methods texts. In addition to covering the nuts and bolts of actually doing research, the illustrations and exercises will enrich students’ experiences and provilƒ0