Case Studies

Question 1

What is a case study?

Answer 1

• Detailed study of an individual or event
• Usually longitudinal, in depth observations
• May use interviews, questionnaires or observations

Question 2

Example of Case study

Answer 2

Clive Wearing
* An accomplished musician
* 1985- contracted a virus that *attacked the hippocampus *
* Unable to form new lasting memories (only last 7-30 seconds)
* Still plays piano, remembers his children but thinks they are younger, remembers second wife

Question 3

Strengths of Case studies

Answer 3

+ High* internal validity*- small study on 1 person
+ Real life value- investigating rare cases
+ Collection of rich data - opportunity to study rare phenomena in a lot of detail
+ *Unique cases *can challenge existing ideas and theories and suggest ideas for future research

Question 4

Weaknesses of Case studies

Answer 4

- Don’t establish causal relationships - researcher has little control over variables
- Low in population validity- only based on one person
- Low reliablity- study can’t be be repeated or replicated, lacks standardisation
- Researcher bias and subjectivity