PSYCHOLOGY

Research Designs and Models of Human Development in Psychology



Abstract

Qualitative and Quantitative are two research methodologies on the basis of which researchers conduct experiments and propose theories. In the light of Psychology, Quantitative Research measures the amount of behavior, whereas, Qualitative research describes differences in kind or quality of behavior. The psychologists have presented numerous psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, and ethological theories to articulate the stage of development. The appropriate selection of theory depends upon several factors. The research paper presents comprehensive review of literature and studies of two subjects. First, it elaborates the difference between Quantitative Research and Qualitative research in psychology, along with the strengths, limitations and uses of the methods. Second part of the paper presents a review on the models of stage developments. Moreover, it presents a comparison and critique on the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky in psychological development.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction to Research Designs1

Research Methods in Psychology3

Application of Research Methods: Example of Child Psychology4

Qualitative Research Methods5

Oral Methodology6

Structured And Unstructured Interviews6

Focus Groups7

Phenomenology8

Observational Method9

Clinical Method By Piaget10

Methodological Position11

Strengths Of The Qualitative Research Methods12

Limitations Of Qualitative Research Methods13

Quantitative Research Methods14

Strengths of Quantitative Research16

Limitations of Quantitative Research17

Stages of Human Development18

Review of the Theories18

Comparison Of Theories20

Psychology Of Development By Vygotsky20

Higher Psychological Processes21

Concept Of Learning And Development22

Zone Of Proximal Development23

Internalization24

Evaluation of Vygotsky's Theory25

Psychology Of Development By Piaget25

Intelligence Concept25

Sensori-Motor Period26

Pre-operational period27

Concrete operational period28

Concept of learning28

Evaluation Of Vygotsky's Theory29

Contrast Between Piaget And Vygotsky30

Conclusion32

References35

Research Designs and Models of Human Development in Psychology

Introduction to Research Designs

Research methods are a group of methodologies or formalized instructions on how to conduct research. Research methods provide a set of recipes for the psychologist. In the field of social sciences, research methods are used to tell about the behavior of an individual. As a whole, research methods are designed so that psychologists can identify patterns and trends in the behavior, test and redefine theories, make predictions, interpret the impact of culturally or historically significant events, explore diversity, give voice, and advance new theories. All research methods use a specialized language consisting of statements that explore relationships between variables.

There are two main families of research methods. The first are qualitative methods, those based on descriptions or words and are often referred to as data enhancers. Qualitative methods usually study single subjects or small groups of people in great detail. Quantitative methods use numeric data and are often referred to as data condensers since they may examine many subjects. Statistical inferences require quantitative methods.

Much debate occurs over which method is more scientific and reliable. A researcher must defer to his or her research questions to determine whether a qualitative or quantitative research method is more appropriate. The study of the lifestyles of a group of crack cocaine users will be better served with qualitative methods than quantitative ones, since the human aspect is important in determining results that will speak to the proposed question. A study comparing the poverty rates among American cities is best addressed by quantitative methods since there will be many subjects and rates will be ...