Listen to a conversation between a student and a professor. Professor: Hi, Eric, How are things going? Student: Oh, I am really busy with my workload. Some professors assign so much reading that it's like they think we have no other homework. Professor: One of the most important things you'll learn in college is how to manage your time, how to, you know, prioritize, when to say "no" to a social engagement if you have a paper due, that sort of thing. Student: I guess so. Professor: So how are you finding the material we're covering in class? Student: I've actually come to talk to you about it. I have a 6-month-old niece so I find early childhood development really interesting. Piaget, that Swiss psychologist you told us about, his development theory is really cool. Professor: Yes, his theory that cognitive development in children occurs in four stages that you can actually observe. Student: Yea, um, so my niece, she's in the sensory motor stage now, right at the part where she thinks things disappear when they're out of sight. Professor: Very good! She probably won't understand that objects continue to exist, even when they are out of sight, until she's a month or so older. Student: Yea, yesterday, we were knocking a little ball around and it rolled under the couch. She immediately lost interest and reached for something else. Professor: Because to her, the ball ceased to exist. Student: Yeah. I've actually been taking notes on her behavior because I'd like to write my term paper about her, if it's ok with you. Professor: Your term paper? Student: Yeah. I'd like to do a case study or something. Piaget watched his kids, and like, changed the whole world of psychology. Professor: Wait a minute. Piaget didn't just observe his own children. He did exhaustive research over 30 years to develop and test his theory. And anyway, your assignment isn't to do a study, it's to research the literature on a particular psychological topic and write about it and I gave you a list of suggested topics to choose from. Student: Well, what if I research something like, is it possible to speed up cognitive development? Like, if I reached under the couch to get the ball while she watched me, would she learn earlier that objects don't disappear or can't 6-month-old babies think that ay yet? Professor: Uh, hmmm, I do applaud your initiative, Eric. However, I sincerely doubt you could get any kind of valid or meaningful information from such an experiment. Student: But I already put so much time into watching my niece. Professor: Remember, this is only a freshman psychology class, you weren't trained in carrying out an original research project. I wish you'd come to me earlier but you know there's still some time before the due date. I suggest that you recheck the list of topics. At least one of them relates to cognitive development. Then come see me again if you have any questions. Student: Okay.