Developmental Research Methods

“Overall, the text is a good introduction to experimental methodology including the typical issues involved in designing, running, and analyzing experiments.”

-Shannon Casey, University of California, San Diego

“The goals of the book are clearly outlined and the steps in a research program are a great way to help students outline the process, which each chapter will address in further detail. . . . I personally appreciate, and feel that students do too, when the author utilizes humor, where appropriate, and speaks directly to the reader. . . . Miller’s text definitely fills a void.”

-Christine J. Jensen, College of William and Mary

This classic standard, now in its Third Edition, successfully provides an overview of methods to prepare students to carry out, report on, and evaluate research on human development, with a focus on the whole lifespan. Author Scott A. Miller explores every step in the research process, from the initial concept to the final written result, covering conceptual issues of experimental design as well as the procedural skills necessary to translate design into research.

New to the Third Edition:

• Updated and expanded coverage throughout the book: Carryover topics have been updated with several hundred new citations and a number of topics not addressed in the previous edition have been added. Among the new topics are qualitative research, archival research, meta-analysis, microgenetic methods, conceptual development, and executive functioning.
• Provides up-to-date discussions of important topics: This edition addresses some of the most currently active and important research areas in developmental psychology, such as infant cognition, attachment, self-concept, theory of mind, and applied developmental science.
• Offers a more student-friendly design and approach: New chapter boxes provide extended treatment of especially interesting and important contemporary topics. In addition, more tables, figures, headings, and photos help students understand the material better. Other pedagogical tools include chapter exercises, chapter-ending summaries, a glossary, and citation of further sources and relevant websites for numerous topics.

Intended Audience:

This core textbook is designed for advanced undergraduate courses such as Research Methods in Developmental Psychology; Research Methods in Human Development; and Research Methods in Child Psychology in departments of Psychology, Human Development, and Education.