Some Implications of Relational Developmental Systems-Based Theories for Research Methods and for the Application of Developmental Science

Developmental science is a science of the individual&s;s development and not a field focused on the tracing of changes in a variable or among variables across points in time. In developmental science, views about best practice in growth curve analysis involve discussion of advantages of methods of individual growth curve fitting. Examples of systems science methods are computational/mathematical modeling, agent-based modeling, system dynamics modeling, and network analysis. The use of systems science methods in developmental science is a sample case of the opening of the field to innovations in methodology, perhaps especially those associated with other disciplines. Many potential funders of developmental science research have eschewed longitudinal studies because of the inability to demonstrate causality due to selection effects. However, the landscape of research aimed at causal analysis has changed. Econometric methods are being used in developmental science research to address endogeneity in longitudinal research.