ERIC Number: EJ786449
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Jul
Pages: 32
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-930X
EISSN: N/A
The Person-Oriented versus the Variable-Oriented Approach: Are They Complementary, Opposites, or Exploring Different Worlds?
Bergman, Lars R.; Trost, Kari
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Journal of Developmental Psychology, v52 n3 p601-632 Jul 2006
The present commentary gives a brief overview of the person-oriented and variable-oriented approaches, how they are commonly used in longitudinal research, and what one should take into consideration before using either approach. In addition to presenting an empirical example on girls' adjustment problems using both approaches, this commentary uses the contributions in the present issue of "Merrill Palmer Quarterly" to illustrate some of the main issues surrounding these two perspectives. Special attention is also given to the contrast between the person-oriented and variable-oriented approaches in terms of aggregation and disaggregation, model appropriateness and usefulness, and prediction as a goal. Future directions with regard to implementing a person-oriented approach are discussed, including the importance of conceptual clarity, practical and theoretical training, and method development.
Wayne State University Press. The Leonard N. Simons Building, 4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309. Tel: 800-978-7323; Fax: 313-577-6131; Web site: http://wsupress.wayne.edu/journals/merrill/merrillj.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A