Case studies and content analysis

Question 1

What type of technique are case studies?

Answer 1

Non-experimental techniques

Question 2

What are case studies used for?

Answer 2

To gather information

Question 3

Describe what a case study is

Answer 3

An in-depth investigation of an individual, group, institution or event. They tend to be longitudinal (over a period of time) and data can be given from family, friends of an individual as well as them.

Question 4

What type of data can case studies give?

Answer 4

Qualitative or quantitative data

Question 5

How is data compiled and used?

Answer 5

Data can be compiled in numerous ways,
e.g. through unstructured interviews. From this, the researcher generates explanations for behaviour, including how the participant feels about specific issues and insight into their belief system

Question 6

What are advantages of case studies?

Answer 6

• Rich, detailed descriptions which acknowledge the whole individual (personal thought, feelings, beliefs etc.) which isn’t always valued in other research.
• Sometimes it is the only viable method to use, especially for sensitive topic areas/unique experiences. - Useful to gain perspective on theories (even to challenge them).

Question 7

What are disadvantages of case studies?

Answer 7

• Unrepresentative due to small samples.
• Subject to researcher bias in interpreting data (like Freud’s Little Hans study (which has been consistently criticised).
• Dependent on the accurate memory recall of participants as they typically have to speak about things that happened years ago.