Module 3 Research in Child and Adolescent Development

Intended Learning Outcome

- Explain the basic principles of research.

- Demonstrate appreciation of the role of teachers as consumers and producers of developmental
research.
- Read researches on child and adolescent development and make a simple research abstracts out of
the researches read.

Learning Task

Read each statement below. Put a check mark to indicate if you agree or disagree to
each statement.

Statement Ye No
s

1. Research is only for those who plan to take master’s

or doctorate degree.

2. Research is easy to do.

3. Research is all about giving questionnaires and

tallying responses.

4. Research with one or two respondents is not a valid

research.

5. Students do not possess the qualifications to

conduct research.

Introduction

As you may have noticed, most if not all of what is presented about the development of the child
and the adolescents are products of research. It might interest you to know how these concepts/theories
were arrived at. Research is a reliable means for teachers to learn about child and adolescent
development. When conducted in an accurate manner, it becomes a strong basis for making decisions
about the things you will do as an effective teacher.

Discussion

Teachers as Consumers/End Users of Research

 Research gives teachers and also policy-makers important knowledge to use in decision making
for the benefit of learners and their families. Well informed teachers are able to use and integrate the most
authoritative research findings. Research enables teachers to come up with informed decision on what to
teach and how to teach. This involves decisions related to educational policies, curriculum, effective
teaching-learning processes, and even those involving research, too. It can help us, teachers, to be more
knowledgeable about how to fit our teaching with the developmental levels of our learners.

Teachers as Researchers

The conduct of research does not only belong to thesis and dissertation writers. It is for students
and teachers, too. Let us learn how to conduct research by finding out the different research principles and
the research methods and designs with focus on child and adolescent development.

The Scientific Method

One important principle in research is adherence to the

scientific method, since research is systematic and a logical process.
As such researchers basically follow the scientific method. They are as
follows:

1. Identify and define the problem

2. Determine the hypothesis
3. Collect and analyze data
4. Formulate conclusions
5. Apply conclusions to the original hypothesis

Simply explained, identifying the research problem is the first step. This is followed by tentative
answer to the research problem called the hypothesis. The hypothesis is also referred to as an “educated
guess.” How correct is your “educated guess” or the “hypothesis”? If your research problem is concerned
with determining the cause of an effect or a phenomenon you have to gather and analyze data derived
from an experiment. This is true with experimental research. However, if your research problem is
concerned with describing data and characteristics about the subjects and phenomenon you are studying,
you do not need to perform an experiment. This is descriptive research. After analyzing the data, you
formulate your conclusions.

Compare your conclusions to your original hypothesis to find out if your original hypothesis is
correct or not. If your original hypothesis jibes with your findings and conclusion, affirm your hypothesis.
If your original hypothesis does not jibe with your finding and conclusions, reject your original
hypothesis.
Research Designs

In conducting a quality research, it is important to identify and understand various research

designs and different data gathering used by developmental researchers

Types of Research Design

1. Case Study- This is an in- depth look at an individual.

2. Correlational Study- A design that determines associations

3. Experimental- A design that determines cause- effect relationships. This method relies on
controlled methods, random assignment and the manipulation of variables to test hypothesis.

4. Naturalistic Observation- It focus on children’s experiences in natural settings.

5. Longitudinal- this research design studies and follows through a single group over a period
of time. The same individual were studied over a period of time, usually several years or
more.

6. Cross- sectional- A research study in which individual of different ages are compared at one
time.

7. Sequential- This is a combined cross- sectional and longitudinal approaches to learn about
life- span development.

8. Action Research- It is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals

working with others as teams to improve the way they addressed issues and solve problems.

Data Gathering Techniques

1. Observation- This can be made in either laboratories or materialistic settings. In naturalistic

observation, behavior is observed in the real classroom, home in neighborhood.

2. Physiological Measures- This involves heart rate, hormonal levels, bone growth, body
weight, and brain activity.

3. Standardized Test- These are prepared tests that assess individuals’ performance in different
domains. These tests are administered in a consistent manner.

4. Interviews and Questionnaires- These involve asking the participants to provide

information about themselves based on interview or questionnaire given by the researcher.
 5. Life- History Records- These are records of information about a lifetime chronology of
events and activities. It involves combination of data records on educations, work, family and
residence.

Ethical Considerations in Child and Adolescent Research

1. Procedures must never harm children, physically or psychologically.

2. Children and their families have the right to full information about the research in which they
may participate, including possible risks and benefits. There must be informed consent
procedures with research participants.

3. Children’s questions about the research should be answered in a truthful manner and in ways that
they can understand.

4. Information obtained through research with children should remain confidential.

References/Additional Resources/Readings

http://phlconnect.ched.gov.ph/home

Corpuz, B. B., Lucas, M. R. D., Borabo. G., G., L., Lucido, P., I.(2010).

Child and Adolescent Development: Looking at Learners at Different Life Stages. Quezon City,
Philippines. Lorimar Publishing Inc.

Damon, W. & Lerner, R. M. (2008). Child and adolescent development an advance course. Hoboken,
New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Gines, A. C. et al. (1998). Developmental psychology: a textbook for college students in psychology and
teacher education. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc.

Exercise 3

Search a research study that discusses child or adolescence development. Identify the method
used, results and conclusion of the study. Affix the copy of the research study in this module.
Topic
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Objectives
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Method
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Results
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Conclusion
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