Case studies and content analysis

Question 1

what is a case study?

Answer 1

an in-depth investigation of an individual, institution or event

Question 2

What are the two strengths of using a case study?

Answer 2

1. provides rich, in-depth information - gives new insight into unusual and atypical forms of behaviour

Question 3

what are the twi limitations of using a case study?

Answer 3

1. difficult to generalise from individual cases
2. information that makes it into final report is based on subjective selection and interpretation of the researcher

Question 4

what is a content analysis?

Answer 4

a kind of observational study of qualitative data in which behaviour is observed indirectly via the communication they have produced E.G emails, spoken interaction. E.G can involve either qualitative or quantitative analysis, or both

Question 5

what are the quantitative types of analysis?

Answer 5

coding- the analysis of communication by placing into categories and then counting

Question 6

what are the qualitative types of analysis?

Answer 6

thematic analysis- the analysis of communication that involves identifying implicit/ explicit ideas within data (often after coding)

Question 7

what are the two limitations of content analysis?

Answer 7

1. high ecological validity- based on observations of what people actually do
2. when recourses can be assessed by others the content analysis can be replicated- observations can be tested for reliability

Question 8

what are the two limitations of using content analysis?

Answer 8

1.observer bias- different observers may interpret meaning of behavioural categories differently
2. culture bias- interpretation of written or verbal content will be affected by the language and culture observer