Question 1

Using an example from everyday life, explain why a correlation between two variables does not prove a cause and effect relation between the variables.

Accepted Answer

A good answer will be similar to the following:
There is a positive correlation between the number of fire trucks at a fire and the number of deaths in the fire. In other words, the more fire trucks at a fire the more people who will die in the fire. However, it doesn't make sense to say that the fire trucks cause the deaths or that the number of deaths caused the presence of more fire trucks. In this case, a third variable, the size of the fire, leads to more fire trucks at the fire and the likelihood of more deaths in the fire. So, while the number of fire trucks and the number of deaths are correlated there is no cause-effect relation between the two variables. (Note: Students examples will vary, but the logic should be similar to the logic given in this example.)

Question 2

Describe the correlational and experimental research designs. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each design.

Accepted Answer

A good answer will include the following key points:
· Correlational: Observe variables as they exist in the world and determine their relations.
° Strength: Behaviour is measured as it occurs naturally.
° Weakness: Cannot determine cause and effect.
· Experimental: Manipulate independent variable and determine effect on dependent variable.
° Strength: Control of variables allows conclusions about cause and effect.
° Weakness: Work is often laboratory-based, which can be artificial.

Question 3

Compare naturalistic observation to structured observation and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each approach.

Accepted Answer

A good answer will include the following key points:
· Naturalistic observation involves the study of children in their own natural context. This could be their home, a local park, or some other familiar setting. By observing children in their normal surroundings, we can be confident that their behaviour is genuine and not influenced by artificial surroundings. The drawback with this type of research is that the researcher has no control over what kind of situations the child will encounter, and thus only gets an abbreviated view of the child's behaviour.
· Structured observation involves the study of children in a situation that has been created to test how children behave under particular circumstances. Often this occurs in a laboratory. The advantage to this form of research is that it gives us precise information about how children behave in these situations. As well, it can be used to study behaviours that are rare or that typically occur in private settings. The drawback is that these laboratory situations are not natural for the child, and their responses may be influenced by the artificial nature of the task.

Question 4

A researcher is interested in studying cooperative and competitive behaviour in siblings. How might he/she use (1) systematic observations and (2) self-reports to measure sibling behaviour? Explain each type of measure, and give an example of how each could be used to measure cooperation and competition between siblings.

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

Describe the key guidelines of ethical research.

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Question 6

Describe longitudinal and cross-sectional research designs. What are strengths and weaknesses of each design?

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Question 7

Describe the problems of observer bias and observer influence. Using concepts from our textbook, discuss how these problems can be avoided.

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Question 8

A researcher wants to see if watching a violent movie leads to more aggressive behaviour in preschool children. How should the researcher proceed? Be sure to discuss sampling, assignment to conditions, and choice of independent and dependent variables.

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Question 9

Outline some ways that child-development researchers can contribute to sound family policy.

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Question 10

A researcher wants to examine the changes in the stability of friendship between first and third grade. Should the researcher use a cross-sectional or a longitudinal design? Give the advantages and disadvantages of each design.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher wants to examine the changes...

Exam 1: C: The Science of Child Development