Case Studies

Question 1

What are case studies?

Answer 1

• Detailed, in depth analyses of an individual, small group, institution or event
• Usually involve strange individuals or a person with a rare disorder

Question 2

How do we conduct case studies?

Answer 2

• Involves production of qualitative data while remaining objective and systematic
• Researchers will construct a case history of the individual using interviews, observations, questionnaires or combination of them all
• Individual may also be involved in psychological testing
• Findings will be organised into themes
• Case studies usually take place over a long time

Question 3

What are 2 strengths?

Answer 3

Rich detail
- Case studies shed light on specific psychological issues
- Advantage of providing greater depth and understanding an individual

Its the only possible thing to use
- Case studies allow study of experiences or behaviours that are so unique they couldn’t have been studies any other way

Question 4

What are 2 weaknesses of Content analysis?

Answer 4

Unreliable
- Criticised for being unreliable as the results cannot be generalised to other people

Retrospective information
- Often necessary to use recollections of past events as apart of case history which may be wrong and unreliable