case studies and content analysis

Question 1

case study

Answer 1

An in-depth investigation of a single individual, group or institution.
may be longitudinal

Question 2

case history

Answer 2

May use interviews, observations, questionnaires, or a combination

Question 3

evaluation case study

Answer 3

+ offer rich, detailed insights that shed light on unusual behaviour, preferred to superficial forms of data. HM

-generalisation an issue, small sample, final report based on subjective selection and interpretation of researcher.
personal accounts prone to inaccuracy and memory decay. low validity

Question 4

content analysis

Answer 4

A type of observational research in which people are studied indirectly via the communications they have produced.

Question 5

coding

Answer 5

Initial stage, categorising large amounts of information into meaningful units (produces quantitative data).

Question 6

thematic analysis

Answer 6

identification of themes, recurrent. more descriptive than coding units. (produces qualitative data)

Question 7

evaluation content analysis

Answer 7

+can circumnavigate many ethical issues, material already exists, no issues with permission, high in external validity.
flexible, both qual and quan

-studied indirectly, communications analysed outside of natural context. reseacher may attribute opinions and motivations not intended originally.
lack og objectivity.