Research Methods in Human Development:
“Child Care and the Development of Behavior Problems among Economically Disadvantaged Children in Middle Childhood”
Child Care and the Development of Behavior Problems among Economically Disadvantaged Children in Middle Childhood: A Review
The peer-reviewed article is the work of Votruba-Drzal et al. (2010). The focus of the study is to determine whether the level of childcare quality is interrelated to the development of behavioral problems among economically disadvantaged children in middle childhood (Votruba-Drzal et al., 2010). According to the thesis statement in the article, when a child transitions into formal schooling, indications of lower behavioral problem and better skills are essential to the long-term developmental success of the child for healthy functioning (Votruba-Drzal et al., 2010). Therefore, the article presents its thesis statement that there are limited knowledge about the implications of childcare experience for underprivileged children, which manifests later in their development. In addition, childcare experiences would also determine low-income children’s skills in regulating behaviors, emotions and Socioemotional functioning (Votruba-Drzal et al., 2010). The study was based on educational and social opportunity’s area of inquiry, which deliver questions whether or not childcare affects behavioral development of low-income children in middle childhood. It appears from the research question that the authors have an objective of determining the relational effects of childcare to behavioral development and its longer term of influence on children development (Votruba-Drzal et al., 2010). Furthermore, the study also aims to strengthen the understanding of how and why care experiences and education shape the development of low-income children throughout their transition into middle childhood.
Based on the selected method, it is apparent that the study conducts a quantitative approach that measures results based on nominal variables. This includes collecting data through a large number of samples for the survey with a minimum accomplishment of 83% for the interview completion rate and 90% screening rate (Votruba-Drzal et al., 2010). Another suggested approach by the selected multi-method is the use of interviews, which are videotaped for further observations. However, analyzing the large amount of data is necessary in order for the study to draw up credible results. This is the rationale behind the use of longitudinal lagged regression model based from accumulation in inputs framework (Votruba-Drzal et al., 2010). The approach was based from the articulated model created by the NICHD Early Child Care Research Network and Duncan and Blau model (1999 as cited from Votruba-Drzal et al., 2010).
The model and method of analysis preferred by Votruba-Drzal et al., (2010) in their investigation is the most appropriate because they are prescribed by the theoretical model where the study itself have drawn its principles from. Therefore the selected approaches are the most appropriate in relation to the thesis statement and research question because certain measurements are required in concluding the investigation such as childcare characteristics, behavior problems, child characteristic and environmental characteristics, which can only be synthesized using the described approach.
Given the impeccable use of measurement tools, data gathering method, analysis and theoretical model, it is apparent that the research design has shown reliability in terms of internal and external validity of data. First, validation of internal data was facilitated by reputable and established methods incorporated in the Three-City Study. Secondly, the external validation of data employed another reliable tool such as that of the NICHD and Blau. Lastly, The acquired data were not just synthesized by analytical guessing, but with the use of lagged regression model.
However, the study could further improve its research method and design by integrating other approach such as “Cross Sectional Method”. This objective of this method is to test comparability of the sampled group against another group of samples that differs in age and background. This way, the study would be able to compare the differences in developmental levels of children from various age and backgrounds. In addition, the study could also make use of cross-cultural method to gain insights to the differences of human development in terms of behavior in various cultures.
In a nutshell, the article conveys a demonstration of the proper use of methodologies in research pertaining to child development. The “Three-City Study” in particular enables the researcher to extract a more elaborated result because the methods involved in the approach was designed to produce quantifiable data that can be verified, thus making the study more credible. It is paramount in research projects that they both possess reliability and clarity of data due to the fact that discovery made in the investigation is essential to the field of Human Development.
References
Votruba-Drzal , E., Levine Coley, R., Maldonado-Carreño, C., Li-Grining, C., & Chase-Lansdale, L. (2010). Child Care and the Development of Behavior Problems among Economically Disadvantaged Children in Middle Childhood. Child Development, 81(5), 1460–1474. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01485.
