How Is Development Studied?

Question: How Is Development Studied?

Answer: The study of human development utilizes the scientific method to define problems, answer questions, and draw conclusions about developmental issues. The scientific method is a process that uses procedures and principles to systematically find answers to questions.

In order to understand how developmental theories arise, you need to understand how the scientific method works. There are four basic steps in the scientific method:

1. Ask a question.
2. Develop a hypothesis.
3. Test the hypothesis.
4. Draw conclusions.

Psychological research on development also uses are variety of different methods including experiments, longitudinal studies, cross-sectional studies, correlational studies, and case studies.

Next: Research Methods in Developmental Psychology