Case Studies

Question 1

what is a case study

Answer 1

range of data collected from an individual, group or institution, high level of detail

Question 2

what is a snapshot case study

Answer 2

one that looks at behaviour over a short period of time

Question 3

what is a longitudinal case study

Answer 3

one that looks at behaviour over a long period of time

Question 4

example of a case study from Freud

Answer 4

little Hanz’ fear of horses representated a fear of his father - Oedipus complex

Question 5

strengths of a case study

Answer 5

• in depth, holistic, range of data
• only method for extreme or rare behaviour
• can replace studies that can’t be done because of ethics

Question 6

limitations of a case study

Answer 6

• interviews are often used (problems of social desirability, based on memory)
• cannot be generalised
• replications to check for reliability not possible