case studies Flashcards
What is a case study?
A detailed study of an individual or small group of people
what are case studies called because they are carried out over a long period of time?
Longitudinal
what type of data do case studies usually collect?
qualitative data
Why do case studies usually collect qualitative data?
Because they use methods such as naturalistic observations and interviews
How can case studies collect quantitative data?
Through IQ test etc such as in Dibs
What is action research?
Where they are actually trying to change a behaviour such as Hans’ fear of horses
Main strength of case studies regarding origins of behaviour?
Good at revealing origins of abnormal behaviour and attempting to change that behaviour such as reducing little Hans’ fear of horses
Strength regarding qualitative and sometime quantitative data?
provide in-depth descriptions producing rich qualitative data.
-Therefore provide a very valid picture of the P’s life
Strength regarding ecological validity+Validity?
they relate to real life and usually gather data directly concerned with the person without interference from the researcher.
Weakness regarding 1 P’s
- Have to be careful generalising
- even though it was believed little hans was experiencing the Oedipus complex his relationship with his mum and dad may not be typical of other children
- Dibs was not a usual child either as he was a genius
Weakness regarding reliability and control?
almost impossible to repeat case studies in a similar way so can not test for reliability
- Also little control over variables so cannot identify causes of behaviour
- In dibs it may not have been play therapy that cured him it could have been a different variable
- It would be necessary to carry out a control group to see if play therapy does actually work
