Methodology

Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State has a long and distinguished record of doctoral training in developmental methods and the analysis of change. Faculty are working on both analytical and design innovations and applications to substantive research questions. Students can develop specializations in one or more areas, including latent variable modeling, time series modeling, missing data analysis, experimental design, and methods for optimizing behavioral interventions.

More information about the methodology faculty’s research interests and affiliated scientists/graduate students can be found at the Quantitative Developmental Systems Methodology Core and the Methodology Center. Methodology students are strongly encouraged to work with faculty in other areas of human development and family studies on topics related to individual development, prevention and intervention research, or family systems. Through these collaborations, students gain direct insights into substantive questions that motivate the development of advanced quantitative methods.