Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) is an interdisciplinary and applied field that draws from developmental science, family science, and other social sciences. Research Foundations of Human Development and Family Science is a textbook that provides an introduction to the diverse scientific research methods that form the foundation of scholarship and practice in HDFS. In Part I, Kathleen D. Dyer explores science. She distinguishes empirical scientific research from common sense and from knowledge gained from personal experience. This section also includes a discussion of the strategies used by pseudoscience to exploit the well-deserved credibility of science, providing relevant examples. Part II examines systematic empiricism through sampling and measurement. HDFS scholars use a wide array of measurement tools, including self-report (interviews, questionnaires, and self-report tasks), observations (participant, naturalistic, and structured), objective tests, physiological measures, and several types of archival records. Part III introduces the use of study design to achieve falsifiability in scientific research, including an overview of various orientations to time used in research as well as four different study designs: qualitative, prevalence, correlational, and experimental. Finally, Part IV addresses the public verifiability of science, including how scientific consensus is developed, the use of literature reviews to identify convergence of evidence, and how scientific literacy translates into evidence-based professional practice. Illustrated throughout with studies foundational to the discipline as examples of the strategies described in the text, Research Foundations for Human Development and Family Science is a comprehensive, accessible core textbook for undergraduate research methods classes in HDFS. It introduces the discipline of HDFS and challenges students to understand the limitations of common sense and the threat of pseudoscience for those work professionally with children and families.

"Daly has crafted one of the most accessible, comprehensive, and functional texts in research methods that students, scholars, and practitioners concerned with understanding family and development will immensely appreciate." —Carla L. Fisher, The Pennsylvania State University "I love this book! It is thoroughly excellent—accessible and clear. ... What an accomplishment: an inviting research methods book written with intelligence and humility—makes you want to dive right into your next research project." —Katherine R. Allen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University This book is a masterpiece. Kerry Daly has written the finest and most profound volume on qualitative research available in print. From the opening chapter to the last, it is clear that we are in the hands of a master scholar who brings great depth and wisdom to his work. . . . A tour de force by any standard. —David Dollahite, Brigham Young University Qualitative Methods for Family Studies and Human Development serves as a step-by-step, interdisciplinary, qualitative methods text for those working in the areas of family studies, human development, family therapy, and family social work. Providing a systematic outline for carrying out qualitative projects from start to finish, author Kerry J. Daly uniquely combines epistemology, theory, and methodology into a comprehensive package illustrated with specific examples from family relations and human development research. Key Features: Outlines different analytic procedures: The most commonly used methodological traditions are covered, including ethnography, interpretive phenomenology, grounded theory methodology, narrative analysis, discourse analysis, and participatory action research. Offers examples from both hypothetical and actual research studies: Attention is given to the unique challenges associated with qualitative research on couples and families, ethics procedures, and credibility issues. Allows readers to make informed choices within clear guidelines: Balances breadth of topic coverage with sufficient detail to equip students to make informed decisions about methodologies and to be able to design and implement a qualitative research project. Cultivates good perceptual skills: Several pedagogical text boxes, tips and guidelines for data collection, examples, and illustrations encourage students to reflect on their own preferences, values, and experiences.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- Detailed Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- About the Authors -- List of Abbreviations -- Part I What Is HDFS? -- 1 HDFS -- Part II Who Are the People Involved in the Area of HDFS? -- 2 Careers in HDFS -- Part III What Is the History and Future of the HDFS Field? -- 3 History and Future of HDFS -- Part IV Why Is HDFS Important? How Does Theory and Research Inform Work in HDFS? -- 4 Introduction to Research in HDFS -- 5 Introduction to Theories in HDFS -- Part V Professionals and Ethical Thinking and Growth -- 6 Introduction to FLE and Its Applications -- 7 Professional Development and Ethics -- Part VI What are the Key Areas within HDFS? -- 8 Family and Early Years -- 9 Family and Childhood -- 10 Family and Adolescence -- 11 Family and Adulthood -- 12 Family and Late Adulthood -- 13 Diverse Families -- 14 Family Strengths -- Appendix A: A Closer Look at Applied Experiences in HDFS -- Appendix B: Consuming Research -- Glossary -- Index

Now in its second edition, Introduction to Human Development and Family Science was the first text to introduce human development and family studies (HDFS) as inextricably linked areas of study. Pioneers of research paradigms have acknowledged that the family is one setting in which human development occurs, and much work is inherently multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary. This book helps to fortify an understanding of HDFS and subareas within it. Key features include: Chapters aligned with Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) Guidelines. An applied focus, with vignettes exploring diverse family structures and human experience, a brand-new appendix with helpful tips to encourage the effective utilization of research. Discussion of the wide variety of career paths for HDFS students. Rich pedagogical features, including Challenge: Integration sections, bringing together content from all chapters; Journal Questions, encouraging reflection on content as well as personal experience; and Suggested Resources, listing relevant websites, books, articles, and video links for further study. Incredibly user-friendly, this is essential reading for students new to Human Development and Family Science. A fully developed Instructor and Student Website includes flashcards, self-testing quizzes, and discussion questions for students, as well as activities, lecture slides, test banks, and video recommendations for instructors.

For undergradute social science majors. A textbook on the interpretation and use of research. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Key human development theories that continue to guide research and practice are examined in this engaging text. Ten key theories are grouped into three families - those that emphasize biological systems, environmental factors, and those that reflect an interaction between the two. This organization enhances students’ ability to evaluate, compare, and contrast theories both within and across families. Each family is introduced with an overview of their unique perspectives and the rationale for grouping them together. Discussion of each theory includes the cultural/historical context during the theory’s development, its key concepts and ideas, extensions of the theory in contemporary work, an example showing a modification of the theory, an application of how the theory is used to inform practice, and an analysis of how the theory answers 6 basic questions that a human development theory should address. Each chapter includes an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the theories to facilitate comparisons. Theories that have a clear lifespan focus along with cases and examples that address issues across the lifespan are included The second edition features: -A new chapter on bioecological theory that highlights the increased use of this theory in the development of family, school, and community intervention programs. -A new epilogue that examines the same case via each of the ten theories illustrating their similarities and differences and how these ideas cast a unique light on a common situation. -New opening cases that bring theory to life along with narrative that links the case to the chapter’s concepts, guiding questions that help students compare theoretical perspectives, critical thinking questions that focus on using the theory to interpret the case and personal life experiences, and recommended resources that extend students’ understanding. -More examples from various disciplines that address topics students are likely to encounter as professionals. -A new glossary that defines the boldfaced key terms. -Enhanced website at www.psypress.com/9781848726673 that provides instructors with a test bank, Power points, discussion questions and activities, additional cases with questions, teaching notes for using the book with various types of majors, and a conversion guide outlining changes to the new edition and students with key terms with hot links to their definitions, chapter summaries and outlines, and additional resources for further study. -Updated research and applications highlight the latest scientific developments. Ideal for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate courses in theories of development, lifespan or child development taught in psychology, human development, family studies, education, and social work.

This volume provides a diverse, eclectic, and paradoxically mature approach to theorizing and demonstrates how the development of theory is crucial to the future of family research.".

The field of cognitive psychology has expanded rapidly in recent years, with experts in affective and cognitive neuroscience revealing more about mammalian brain function than ever before. In contrast, psychological problems such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression are on the rise, as are medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune disorders. Why, in this era of unprecedented scientific self-knowledge, does there seem to be so much uncertainty about what human beings need for optimal development? Evolution, Early Experience and Human Development asserts that human development is being misshaped by government policies, social practices, and public beliefs that fail to consider basic human needs. In this pioneering volume, scientists from a range of disciplines theorize that the increase in conditions such as depression and obesity can be partially attributed to a disparity between the environments and conditions under which our mammalian brains currently develop and our evolutionary heritage. For example, healthy brain and emotional development depends to a significant extent upon caregiver availability and quality of care. These include practices such as breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and parental social support, which have waned in modern society, but nevertheless may be integral to healthy development. As the authors argue, without a more informed appreciation of the ideal conditions under which human brains/minds develop and function, human beings will continue to struggle with suboptimal mental and physical health, and as problems emerge psychological treatments alone will not be effective. The best approach is to recognize these needs at the outset so as to optimize child development. Evolution, Early Experience and Human Development puts forth a logical, empirically based argument regarding human mammalian needs for optimal development, based on research from anthropology, neurobiology, animal science, and human development. The result is a unique exploration of evolutionary approaches to human behavior that will support the advancement of new policies, new attitudes towards health, and alterations in childcare practices that will better promote healthy human development.

If you had just one wish for the study of human development, what would it be? How would it advance the field? And what would it take for your vision to be realized? This was the charge given to twenty-eight scholars, coming from different disciplines and fields, and who study different periods of the life course. This book compiles provocative contributions from a wide range of established scholars, organized into seven thematic areas: conceptual advances; systems, levels, and contexts; individual differences; methodological advances; harnessing science for human welfare and social justice; underexplored life course dynamics; and interdisciplinary collaboration and playing well with others. This book was originally published as a special issue of Research in Human Development.