From Between-Person Statistics to Within-Person Dynamics

Abstract

Change is the most prominent aspect of research endeavors in developmental and educational psychology. To date, preferred methods for studying change, especially those that rely on quantitative methodologies, are based on sample-based correlational analyses conducted with longitudinal panel studies. In this article we argue that research designs need to move beyond a between-person research strategy because dynamic processes occur within individual children and adolescents. The aim is to provide developmental and educational researchers with a guide to gathering and analyzing data so as to be able to answer questions about processes of change and development from a within-person perspective. Our discussion of current practices and our guidance on future research is based on a dynamic systems view on development.