Description
Book SynopsisThe role of quantitative methods in testing developmental hypotheses is widely recognized, yet even very experienced quantitative researchers often lack the knowledge required for good decision-making on methodology. The end result is a disconnect between research and practice in methods. The purpose of this monograph is to fill a gap in the literature by offering a series of overviews on common data-analytic issues of particular interest to researchers in child development. Our hope is that this monograph will make already developed methods accessible to developmentalists so they can understand and use them in their research. We start atthe beginning with chapters on data management and measurement, two neglected topics in methods training despite the fact that every investigation should begin with proper consideration of each. We follow with two important topics for developmental research, missing data and growth modeling. Missing data can plague developmental work because participan
Table of ContentsBEST PRACTICES IN QUANTITATIVE.
METHODS FOR DEVELOPMENTALISTS.
CONTENTS.
EDITORS’ PREFACE vii.
INTRODUCTION TO THE MONOGRAPH.
Kathleen McCartney, Margaret Burchinal, and Kristen L. Bub 1.
I. DATA MANAGEMENT: RECOMMENDED PRACTICES.
Margaret Burchinal and Eloise Neebe 9.
II. MEASUREMENT ISSUES AND PSYCHOMETRICS METHODS.
IN DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH.
Richard G. Lambert, Lauren Nelson, Denise Brewer, and Margaret Burchinal 24.
III. MISSING DATA: WHAT TO DO WITH OR WITHOUT THEM.
Keith F. Widaman 42.
IV. GROWTH CURVE ANALYSIS: AN INTRODUCTION TO VARIOUS.
METHODS FOR ANALYZING LONGITUDINAL DATA.
Margaret Burchinal, Lauren Nelson, and Michele Poe 65.
V. CONTEMPORARY ADVANCES AND CLASSIC ADVICE FOR.
ANALYZING MEDIATING AND MODERATING VARIABLES.
Eric Dearing and Lawrence C. Hamilton 88.
VI. SELECTION, DETECTION, AND REFLECTION.
Kathleen McCartney, Kristen L. Bub, and Margaret Burchinal 105.
VII. THE PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE OF FINDINGS.
Roger Bakeman 127.
CONTRIBUTORS 146.
STATEMENT OF EDITORIAL POLICY 149
