Case studies Flashcards
What is a case study?
An in-depth, detailed investigation of one individual or a small group
What do cause studies involve?
Biographical details, behavioural information and experience of interest
What do cause studies allow psychologists to do?
Study individuals in greater depth
How are explanations of behaviour outlined?
In subjective ways
Describing what an individual feels or believes about particular issues
What are the strengths of case studies?
Rich in detail
Only possible method to use sometimes
Useful for theory contradiction
What are weaknesses of case studies?
Not representative
Researcher bias
Reliance on memory
What did Koluchova (1972) look into?
Used a case study to research twin boys whose biological mother died soon after their birth. Their stepmother locked them in a cellar for 5 and a half years and regular beat them.
What is a case study?
An in-depth, detailed investigation of one individual or a small group
What type of data is collected from case studies?
Usually qualitative which is outlined in subjective ways
What are the strengths of case studies?
- Rich in detail
- Sometimes it is only the possible method to use
- Useful for theory contradiction
What are the weaknesses of case studies?
- Not representative
- Researcher bias
- Reliance on memory
