Understanding developmental systems in adolescence: Implications for methodological strategies, data analytic approaches, and training

Contemporary theories of adolescence stress developmental systems models th at intergrate both individual and contextual levels of analysis in a relati onal manner-ones that place substantive emphasis on understanding the diver sity of adolescent development. This scholarship suggests that adolescence should be investigated with multivariate-longitudinal designs and change-se nsitive measures and data analytic strategies-ones that capitalize on and s eek triangulation across both quantitative and qualitative methods,for exam ple as may be illustrated by current advances in categorical data analysis. Such research will inform in useful ways policies and programs aimed at pr omoting positive development among diverse youth; but it will require innov ations in training if new cohorts of developmental scholars are to be profi cient in both the basics and applied scientific dimensions of studying adol escence.