Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Use of Galvanic Skin Responses, Salivary Biomarkers, and Self-reports to Assess Undergraduate Student Performance During a Laboratory Exam Activity
07:32

Use of Galvanic Skin Responses, Salivary Biomarkers, and Self-reports to Assess Undergraduate Student Performance During a Laboratory Exam Activity

Published on: February 10, 2016

Blood, sweat, and tears: embedding biological samples in social science research on children

Denise Kall1

  • 1Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. dkall@soc.duke.edu

Biodemography and Social Biology
|April 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study details collecting biological samples from children aged 5-7 to assess environmental contaminant effects on education. It highlights challenges in interdisciplinary research, including blood analysis and subject recruitment for environmental health studies.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Research
  • Social Science Research Methods

Background:

  • Interdisciplinary research is increasingly encouraged, but practical guidance on execution is scarce.
  • Social scientists often face unique challenges when incorporating biological data collection into their studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the practical methodologies and challenges encountered in collecting biological samples from children for an environmental health study.
  • To provide insights for researchers planning similar interdisciplinary projects involving pediatric biological sample collection.

Main Methods:

  • Data collection involved primary caregiver interviews, child skill assessments, and venous blood draws from children aged five to seven.
  • Blood samples were analyzed for specific environmental contaminants including lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nicotine, and cotinine.
  • Key logistical and ethical considerations such as Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, phlebotomy, and subject recruitment were addressed.

Main Results:

  • The study successfully collected biological samples alongside educational outcome data from the target pediatric population.
  • Specific challenges were identified and addressed, including the complexities of IRB navigation, blood sample analysis, and supply chain management for phlebotomy.
  • Strategies for blood banking and the successful recruitment of child subjects were developed and implemented.

Conclusions:

  • Collecting biological samples in social science research, particularly with children, presents significant logistical and ethical hurdles.
  • This research offers a practical framework and highlights critical considerations for social scientists aiming to integrate biological measures into their interdisciplinary studies.
  • Successful implementation requires careful planning for sample handling, analysis, and subject engagement in environmental health research.

More Related Videos

A Cross-Disciplinary and Multi-Modal Experimental Design for Studying Near-Real-Time Authentic Examination Experiences08:33

A Cross-Disciplinary and Multi-Modal Experimental Design for Studying Near-Real-Time Authentic Examination Experiences

Published on: September 4, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences01:28

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings01:29

Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...
Ethics in Research01:56

Ethics in Research

Today, scientists agree that good research is ethical in nature and is guided by a basic respect for human dignity and safety. However, this has not always been the case. Modern researchers must demonstrate that the research they perform is ethically sound.
Case Studies01:22

Case Studies

There are many research methods available to psychologists in their efforts to understand, describe, and explain behavior and the cognitive and biological processes that underlie it.
Scientific Nature of Social Psychology01:30

Scientific Nature of Social Psychology

Social psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Unlike common sense, which relies on anecdotal experiences and intuition, social psychology employs systematic research and empirical methods to ensure objectivity and reliability. This distinction is fundamental in distinguishing scientifically supported findings from mere speculation.Four fundamental scientific values guide a structured approach to research in...