Case Studies Flashcards
Where is a case study usually taken?
Within a real life context
What does a case study involve?
The in-depth study over time of a case
How is data mainly gained?
Through interviews and questionnaires
What type of data does a case study produce?
Usually qualitative data. It normally produces some measurement data and a powerful narrative account that provides an overall picture
What did Sandelowski say in 1996?
“Understanding a particular in the all-together”
Who said “understanding a particular in the all-together” in what year?
Sandelowski in 1996
What did Freud study?
A theory about unconscious by studying multiple patients who were hysterical
Who did a case study on the unconscious?
Freud
How is each study selected?
Via the basis of what it might contribute to a developing pool of data
What are the two advantages of case studies?
It provides Rich and interesting data and can challenge existing theory
Expand on “rich and interesting data”
The data produced has a high level of realism. It can provide valuable insights
Give an example of how rich and interesting data have helped in the real world
Important information about brain functions has been deduced from case studies of brain damaged individuals such as Clive Wearing. These cases provided information that could not have been obtained otherwise
Expand on “challenging existing theory”
If the case study findings don’t match an existing study then the original theory has to be modified.
What are the four disadvantages of case studies?
The low reliability of much case research, the findings may be subjective, selecting from large amounts of data and distortions
Expand on “the low reliability of much case study research”
The findings are unlikely to be replicated so findings can’t be generalised to other situations. However case studies are not usually intended to make generalisations
