Question

For this discussion, provide an overview of prenatal and early infancy research methods. Compare and contrast at least two measures and two research designs commonly used in infant research. Review common limitations and challenges related to prenatal and infant research. Use this unit's readings, as well as the multimedia linked in the Resources, to inform your discussion

Answer 1

Infants do not engage with the environment in the same manner like the older children do. There are different research methods which are used in infant research. Two of the commonly used methods are - observation and psychophysiological methods of neuroscience (like eye blink, eye movement, recording of ERPs etc).

Limitations with infancy research: Research has found that infants after birth, during the postnatal period are alert only 10 percent of the time. Hence, many researches are not possible. Attrition is another issue when participants fail to complete the entire study and drop out. This is quite common with infant research. Also with longitudinal studies, sometimes, practice effect poses limitations. Longitudinal development research also has the problem of cohort effects.

Challenges : a) Ethical concerns - Assent is mandatory. Children cannot express their willingness of participation and so parents need to give assent.

b) Recruitment - There is no recruitment strategy and randomization is often difficult.