Quantitative Developmental Systems Methodology

What We Do

The Quantitative Developmental Systems Methodology Core, also known as QuantDev, is a group of faculty in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State who aim to stimulate, coordinate, support, and disseminate research and teaching about the use of quantitative methods in social science.

Researchers in QuantDev work to develop new methods for the study of human behavior and use them to study behavioral change. Additionally, QuantDev consults on and collaborates with a broad range of scientists in the social and behavioral sciences, physical sciences, engineering, computer science, and data sciences on research projects that span multiple timescales and level of analysis, with support from HDFS, the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI), and the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS).

Methodology and HDFS

Methodology has long been an important aspect of HDFS research, including training in developmental methods and the analysis of change. The QuantDev Methdology Core researchers collaborate on analytical and design innovations and applications to supportive substantive research across all areas within HDFS, including individual and family development, adulthood and aging, and intervention and prevention.

QuantDev Brownbag Seminars

Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m., via Zoom

This weekly seminar is a forum for sharing ongoing work in ways that encourage discussion and thought about potential synergies. We aim to increase awareness of "the big picture” of what everyone is working on and the ability to identify skills and expertise that may be useful in new projects, proposals, and papers.