Question

Jool wants to study whether children in public playgrounds tend to play with children of their own gender. To begin her study, Jool goes to the local playground, watches the kids for about 20 minutes, and takes notes about what she sees. Jool is conducting her research by using the descriptive method of a(n) a. self-report b. case study c. experiment d. observational study

Short answer

Jool is conducting her research by using the descriptive method of a(n): d. Observational study

Step-by-step solution

a. Self-report

A self-report method involves participants reporting their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors through questionnaires or interviews.

b. Case study

A case study method involves an in-depth study of an individual or small group to gain insights into their behavior and conditions.

c. Experiment

An experiment involves manipulating one or more variables to determine the effect on another variable.

d. Observational study

An observational study involves observing and recording the behavior of participants without manipulating any variables. #Step 2: Comparing the given exercise with the explanation for each option#

Identifying the method used by Jool

In the given exercise, Jool goes to a local playground and observes children's behavior without manipulating any variables, and takes notes about what she sees. This matches the description under "d. Observational study." #Conclusion# Jool is conducting her research by using the descriptive method of a(n): d. Observational study

Key concepts

Descriptive Research Methods

Descriptive research methods are a cornerstone of behavioral science, providing a systematic snapshot of what is occurring at a particular point in time. They are often the first step in understanding new phenomena, allowing researchers to gather information about variables without influencing them. Unlike experiments, there is no manipulation of variables or random assignment in descriptive research.

One of the key advantages of descriptive studies, such as the one Jool is conducting, is that they can be conducted in natural settings. This may improve the ecological validity of the findings – meaning that the results may be more applicable to real-world situations.

However, a notable limitation of this approach is that it doesn't establish cause and effect. Jool, for instance, can observe gender play patterns but can't conclude that gender exclusively determines playmate selection without considering other influences such as age, temperament, or the availability of playmates.

Child Social Behavior

Understanding child social behavior is crucial in the field of developmental psychology. Children's interactions in social contexts, such as playgrounds, provide insight into their developmental stages, communication skills, and social roles and norms acquisition.

As children engage in play, they learn to negotiate, cooperate, and sometimes compete with peers. Such behaviors are observed and recorded in descriptive studies, and can reveal important trends in how children form relationships and navigate social structures from a young age.

Researchers like Jool, by observing public playgrounds, are able to capture these spontaneous interactions, which can provide a rich tapestry of data on child development, inclusive of verbal and non-verbal communication patterns, group dynamics, and conflict resolution strategies among peers.

Gender Play Patterns

Gender play patterns refer to the behaviors and preferences that tend to be associated with boys or girls during playtime. In many cultures, these patterns emerge early and can include choices of play activities, toys, and playmates. Descriptive studies, such as Jool’s observational study, can reveal how these patterns manifest in natural settings like playgrounds.

It's not uncommon for children to exhibit gender-typical play behavior, with girls possibly engaging in more cooperative and nurturing play, while boys may participate in more physical and competitive activities. However, it's vital to approach this research without preconceptions, as children's play is influenced by a variety of factors, not solely gender.

Through careful observation and note-taking, researchers can identify whether there's a preference for same-gender play and how pronounced such patterns are within different environments. Ultimately, gender play patterns are a small piece of the complex puzzle of child development and socialization.