TY - JOUR
T1 - From Theory to Methodology
T2 - Using Ecological Engagement to Study Development in Context
AU - Koller, Silvia H.
AU - Raffaelli, Marcela
AU - de Morais, Normanda Araujo
N1 - Funding Information:
The research program described in this article was supported by institutional governmental and nongovernmental funds. Manuscript preparation was supported by funding from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) to S. H. Koller and N. A. Morais
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Society for Research in Child Development
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Urie Bronfenbrenner’s groundbreaking work on development in context has made an enduring impact on the field of developmental science. However, translating his theoretical concepts in empirical studies has proved challenging. In this article, we describe a methodological approach—ecological engagement methodology (EEM)—that was designed to operationalize key elements of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory in studies of development in context. In particular, we describe the development of EEM, illustrate the approach using examples from qualitative and quantitative studies of vulnerable youth, provide a brief guide to implementing EEM, and discuss its major strengths and challenges. We conclude that EEM offers a flexible and powerful way to apply Bronfenbrenner’s theoretical propositions in studies of development in context, yielding data that are of high quality; ecologically valid; and relevant to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
AB - Urie Bronfenbrenner’s groundbreaking work on development in context has made an enduring impact on the field of developmental science. However, translating his theoretical concepts in empirical studies has proved challenging. In this article, we describe a methodological approach—ecological engagement methodology (EEM)—that was designed to operationalize key elements of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory in studies of development in context. In particular, we describe the development of EEM, illustrate the approach using examples from qualitative and quantitative studies of vulnerable youth, provide a brief guide to implementing EEM, and discuss its major strengths and challenges. We conclude that EEM offers a flexible and powerful way to apply Bronfenbrenner’s theoretical propositions in studies of development in context, yielding data that are of high quality; ecologically valid; and relevant to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
KW - Urie Bronfenbrenner
KW - bioecological theory
KW - developmental methodology
KW - street-involved youth
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U2 - 10.1111/cdep.12378
DO - 10.1111/cdep.12378
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85088819296
SN - 1750-8592
VL - 14
SP - 157
EP - 163
JO - Child Development Perspectives
JF - Child Development Perspectives
IS - 3
ER -