I. Introduction (Discussion)
    A. Doing science
    B. The role of hypotheses (a little history of science)

II Definition of terms (Handout)
    A. Operationalization
    B. Measurement
                    1. Reliability
                    2. Validity
    C. Variables (p.  41)
                    1. Dependent variable
                    2. Independent variable
                    3. Extraneous variable
    D. Hypothesis (p. 31)

III. Data Collection Techniques and Research Designs (pp. 32-42)
    A.  Correlational/Observational Designs
            1.  Observational techniques
            2.  Survey and interview techniques
            3.  Other techniques
    B. Causal/Experimental Designs
                    1.   Control groups

IV. Studying Development (pp.42-46)
    A. Cross-sectional study of change
    B. Longitudinal study of change
    C. Other methods

V. Evaluation
    A. Internal validity
    B. External validity
    C. Questions for Assignment 1 (click here to get to the assignments page)

1. Why was the study done? What were the researchers’ goals or purposes in doing the research.

2. Specify the Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, and the hypothesis of the study. Remember, a hypothesis is an operationalized statement of a predicted relation between IV and DV.

3. Briefly describe who the participants were (participants section), how the study was done (procedure section) and what was found (results section). Did the results confirm or disconfirm the hypothesis?

4. Comment briefly on the Internal Validity (are the conclusion valid given the nature of the data and how they were collected?) and the External validity (will the results generalize to other people in other places, who are tested with other instruments by different experimenter?) of the study.

5. Comment on how adequately the study was described and interpreted in the textbook.