Research Methods in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

This course offers an introduction to and practical experience with developmental cognitive neuroscience techniques. The course will be laboratory based and will give students experience with collection and analysis of neuroscientific data. Our primary goal will be to understand how human neuroscience techniques may inform our understanding of the developing brain. We will focus on three techniques: electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We will consider each technique in detail through brief course lectures, readings, and laboratory demonstrations with particular emphasis on implementing these techniques with developing populations. Students will leave the course with an understanding of methodological considerations for data collecting involving developmental populations, and hands-on experience collecting and analyzing neuroscientific data.