case studies

Question 1

A01

What is a case study?

Answer 1

A case study is an in-depth investigation,description & analysis of a single individual,group,institution or event
* to conduct case study-collect qualitative data
* researchers may construct a case history of p using interviews, observations, questionnaires
* case studies-longitudinal & involve gathering additional data from relatives

Question 2

A03

Triangulation-internal reliability

Strength

Answer 2

• case studies use range of different research methods increasing reliability by the process of triangulation
• Case studies offer in-depth & detailed insights on unusual/atypical forms of behaviour

Question 3

A03

Case studies lack external reliability-cannot generalise

Limitations

Answer 3

• Generalisations of findings is an issue when dealing with small sample sizes-lacks external reliability
• info that makes it at the final report of the case study is based on subjective selection & interpretation of the researcher
• Personal accounts for ppl & family may be prone to inacuracy & memory decay-lacks validity
• time consuming