Case, longitudinal, and cross-sectional studies

Question 1

Are case studies experimental or non-experimental?

Answer 1

Non experimental; has no DV or IV

Question 2

What is a case study?
(two points)

Answer 2

An in-depth study of one person or a small group of people
Or a study of an institution or an event

Question 3

Is a case study a research method? What is a case study usually?

Answer 3

Yes, however it is usually a combination of many types of research method

Question 4

What are the 5 advantages of using a case study?

Answer 4

• Gathers in-depth and detailed information
• Data obtained can be used to develop new ideas
• Can provide information about unique behaviour
• High ecological validity
• Can be the only method to study some types of behaviour

Question 5

What are the 6 disadvantages of using a case study?

Answer 5

• Very difficult to replicate
• Lack of generalisability because of small sample size
• Cannot establish cause and effect
• Can be time consuming and expensive
• Subject to researcher bias
• Low reliability

Question 6

How can validity issues be dealt with in case studies?

Answer 6

Depends on which methods have been used in the study

Question 7

What is triangulation and when is it used?

Answer 7

Used to assess the validity of a case study. If a case study uses an observation, a questionnaire and an interview, you can compare the findings from each. If the method is valid the results should agree with each other

Question 8

What is an issue with reliability in case studies?

Answer 8

Qualitative data requires interpretation which can be open to researcher bias

Question 9

How can researcher bias be overcome in a case study?

Answer 9

Using inter-observer reliability

Question 10

What is a cross-sectional study?

Answer 10

Analysing and comparing data from a specific population or group to another, at a single point in time

Question 11

What is a longitudinal study?

Answer 11

A study conducted over a long period of time. The same participants are assessed at multiple points over a time period

Question 12

What are the 3 strengths of cross-sectional studies?

Answer 12

• Cheap, quick and practical as participants are tested once and no follow up study is necessary
• Easier to obtain participants because there is less pressure than with longitudinal studies
• Less ethical considerations needed than with longitudinal studies

Question 13

What are 2 weaknesses with cross-sectional studies?

Answer 13

• Less detailed date collected than longitudinal
• Harder to identify developmental trends

Question 14

What are 2 strengths of longitudinal studies?

Answer 14

• Same participants are used throughout the study, so participant variables have no effect
• The best way to spot developmental trends as tests are repeated at regular intervals and findings are compared

Question 15

What are 3 weaknesses of longitudinal studies?

Answer 15

• Some participants may move away or wish to no longer be part of the study
• Withdrawal of participants could also lead to the remaining participants sharing a characteristic, making the results biased
• Is time consuming, expensive, and data collection can vary in strength if different researchers are used over time