Favored Developmental Research Methods

To study these research questions, we use diverse measurement (e.g., parent diary checklists, limb-worn motion recorders, salivary assays, anthropometric measures, infant development scales, reaction-time tasks, temperament scales) and analytic (e.g. meta-analysis, hierarchical linear modeling, and graphical presentation) tools.

Methodological Enthusiasms

• Low-tech, parent-friendly measures. Parents can be our research collaborators if they have the right tools. We've developed parent-friendly daily checklists and anthropometric measures.
• Meta-analysis. The combining the results of many studies usually makes things clearer (Campbell & Eaton, 1999; and Eaton & Enns ,1986).
• Aggregation. Combining items or instances of related behavior enhances reliability and statistical power (Eaton, McKeen, & Campbell, 2001; Eaton, 1983).
• Activity Measurement. Combining many instances of behavior is easier with instrumentation, which we've used extensively for measuring customary activity levels in natural settings (Eaton, McKeen, & Campbell, 2001; Eaton 1983).
• We've used the following equipment: Kaulins & Willis actometers (no longer being manufactured) and the MTI actigraph
  

Child Assessment

Attaching motion recorders

  Measuring leg movement

Child development research