Case studies

Question 1

What is a case study?

Answer 1

An in depth study of one person or a group of people over time. It is usually carried out in the real world. They are idiographic and very individualistic.

Question 2

What are aspects of a case study?

Answer 2

• They include a detailed study
  on an individual or group
• Has in depth analysis of the life
  of the person
• Family accounts are sometimes
  used to aid research
• Uses a range of sources:
  questionnaires, interviews etc.

Question 3

Examples of case studies

Answer 3

• Little Hans (Freud)
• Phineas Gage
• Clive Wearing

Question 4

Strengths of case studies

Answer 4

• Creates a depth of analysis
  which can bring high levels of
  validity.
• Create opportunities for a rich
  yield of data
• The detail collected on a single
  case may lead to interesting
  findings that conflict with
  current theories
• Can stimulate new paths for
  research

Question 5

Weaknesses of case studies

Answer 5

• Unusual by nature, so will have
  poor reliability as replicating
  will be highly unlikely.
• Little control over a number of
  variables involved so its’s
  difficult to confidently establish
  any casual relationship
  between variables and are
  retrospective.
• May be subject to investigator
  bias, population bias, alpha
  bias, gender bias etc.