Both nonexperimental and experimental research methods are used. Methodologies include naturalist observation, interviews, questionnaires and checklists, case studies, and standardized testing. Experimental methods maniple variables to see how one affects the others. By changing variables, a link between cause and effect is more easily established than in nonexperimental methods. An independent variable entails the experimenter having control.
Correlational studies show the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
In developmental research, experimenters seek to sort out the relative influences of age, cohorts, and time of testing. This site gives you a good idea of what to include and not to include when writing a paper. Unofficial and external sites are not endorsed by Southeastern Louisiana University. This page last updated 30 July 1999.