The Developmental Scientist's Companion

An engaging guide to improving methodological practices and achieving professional success for students and early to mid-career developmental scientists.

Covering key issues in methodology - from measurement and experimental design, to analyzing data and interpreting research results - and providing practical tips for navigating a successful career path, this engaging and accessible guide is an essential resource for students and young researchers launching their careers in developmental science.Written by one of developmental science's foremost methodologists, The Developmental Scientist's Companion provides an engaging and accessible guide to the scientific techniques that have been devised to investigate human development. Adopting an original approach to what can be a dry yet essential topic, Reznick enlivens his coverage of key issues in developmental methodology - measuring psychological phenomena, assessing reliability and validity, experimental design, interviews and surveys, data collection and analysis and interpreting research results - with discussion of his own experiences of those various techniques, gained over a substantial research career. The Companion concludes with practical tips for improving the field and navigating a path to professional success. Reznick's 'behind-the-scenes' view of empirical research and career progression, told with wit, wisdom and insight, is essential reading for students and young researchers launching their careers in developmental science.