Case studies and Content Analysis Flashcards
explain the role of a ‘case study’?
- provides a detailed and in depth analysis of an individual
- often analyse unusual individuals
- usually uses qualitative data
- usually longitudinal studies
- data may also be gathered from close family members
evaluate a strength of a case study?
- offers a detailed insight that may shed light on unusual behaviour
- may contribute to our understanding of normal functioning
- may generate a hypothesis for a future study and revise theories
evaluate a weakness of a case study?
- generalisation of findings when dealing with such a small and sometimes abnormal sample
- data gathered from family members may be inaccurate and subjective
- final report also based off subjective interpretation of the researcher
what is ‘content analysis’?
-a type of observational research in which people are indirectly via communications thee have produced eg. media
explain coding and quantitive data for content analysis?
-coding is the initial stage.
-data may need to be categorised into meaningful units and therefore produces quantitive data
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explain thematic analysis and qualitative data for content analysis?
- thematic= coding in themes
- themes only emerge when data has been coded
- themes are recurrent, and once researcher is satisfied the themes have been developed, they will write a final report, typically using direct quotes from the data to show each theme
evaluate a strength of content analysis?
-can avoid many ethical issues
-much of the material that is wanting to be analysed is already exists in the public domain
no issues w/ permission)
-produces both quan/qualitative data
evaluate a weakness of content analysis?
- people may be studied indirectly as the communication they produced may be analysed outside of the context it occurred
- researcher may interpret their own opinions of the speakers communication
- lack of objectivity, especially in thematic analysis.
