Research on children, families and communities

Abstract

The main aim of this chapter is to demonstrate how Bronfenbrenner’s social ecology model has been used to guide the design of empirical research on children, families and communities. We will show how the model shapes the kinds of research questions that are asked how it influences specifically what researchers measure and when assessments occur. The social ecology model has had a broad influence on developmental research. Its impact can be seen in the design of very large-scale, longitudinal studies as well as in smaller scale projects