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Exploring Developmental Psychology
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Exploring Developmental Psychology
Understanding Theory and Methods

  • Margaret Harris - Oxford Brookes University, UK, University of London, UK, Aston University, UK


January 2008 | 360 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
`This is a beautifully written account of the most important ways in which developmental psychologists go about their business, illustrated with carefully chosen articles which are carefully described in order to make the designs, methodologies, analysis and interpretation of the results readily accessible to a non-expert readership. This will become the preferred textbook for those who want an up-to-date, interesting and accessible introduction to developmental psychology research' - Alan Slater, University of Exeter

A wide range of techniques is used to investigate children's development. This book, which is aimed at advanced undergraduates and postgraduate students in psychology and related areas, provides a guide to key theories and methods used by researchers.

Carefully chosen articles are accompanied by a commentary from the author that, among other things, helps students to understand the rationale for a study, the choice of design and assessment measures, use of statistics and the interpretation of results. A wide range of recent research papers is included to cover observational and experimental methods from infancy to adolescence. The research papers are introduced by two chapters that consider the relationship between theory and methods, explaining how models of development differ from one another and how they can be tested through experimental studies.

 
The Nature of Development
 
Exploring Development
 
Observational Methods and Questionnaires
 
Experimental Research with Infants and Toddlers
 
Experimental Studies of Older Children
 
Studying Atypical Development

'This book is a fantastic guide to the study of developmental psychology and... it successfully achieves its goals of providing an accurate and through understanding of theories, methods and the research context... this book is excellent in aiding the reader to understand how to interpret complex journal articles. It provides the reader with confidence in their own ability to browse, interpret and draw their own conclusions from developmental psychology journals. It is highly recommended for undergraduate or postgraduate students within the field of developmental psychology'
Gemma Reynolds
Psychology: Learning & Teaching



This is a very good book which explores developmental psychology through careful analysis of some well chosen empirical research articles. It is a very useful resource for introducing students to psychological research and to help them build the confidence and skills to develop research designs and methodologies. The chapter on the nature of development provides a very useful summary of key ideas and theories.

Paula Clarke
School of Education, Leeds University
August 11, 2015

Very useful text to introduce and enhance understanding of developmental psychology, will be recommending this to my students as a supplemental text.

Mr David Eversley
Teacher Education, Manchester College of Arts and Technology
June 16, 2014

Provides good examples of specific child research studies in developmental psychology

Mrs Emma Barton
Department of Applied Psychology, University of Cumbria
June 2, 2014

This book is good, but does not have all the specific theories students on our courses require, nevertheless a good read for higher level psychology students.

Miss Rebecca Bolan
Education, Carshalton College
December 26, 2013

I have adopted the first three chapters of this book for my graduate level developmental course.

Dr Vanessa LoBue
Psychology Dept, Rutgers University
September 26, 2013

One for the book list. Clear and accessible. Students liked this text.

Mrs Michelle Rogers
Centre for Early Childhood, University of Worcester
March 12, 2013

Useful text for a range of courses studying developmental psychology - would like to have used for Childhood Studies students however the audience is more likely to be physchology degree students.

Mrs Michelle Rogers
Centre for Early Childhood, University of Worcester
November 7, 2012

This is a very factual book giving very good examples. The examples are related to a range of situations.

Mrs Kelly Needham
CCLD/Health and Soical Care , South Leicestershire College
May 24, 2011

An excellent text which brings contemporary research to the forefront when introducing the key theories and methods of development psychology

Dr Niamh Stack
School of Education, Glasgow University
May 12, 2011

Sample Materials & Chapters

PDF of Preface and Contents

PDF of Chapter One


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781412903356
£48.99
ISBN: 9781412903349
£149.00

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