Case studies GOOD

Question 1

What is a case study?

Answer 1

An in-depth investigation, description and analysis of a single individual, group, institution or event

Question 2

What do case studies often analyse?

Answer 2

Unusual individuals or events

Question 3

What data do case studies USUALLY produce?

Answer 3

Qualitative

Question 4

What are case studies?

Time length

Answer 4

Longitudinal

Question 5

Strengths and weaknesses of case studies

Answer 5

+ Detailed insights on unusual/atypical behaviour
+ May contribute to our understanding of “normal” functioning e.g. case of HM
+ May generate hypotheses for future study and could lead to revision of an entire theory (the single pebble that starts an avalanche)
- Generalisation issues due to small sample size
- Info that makes it to the final report is based on subjective selection and interpretation of researcher
- Personal accounts gathered from friends and family prone to inaccuracy and memory decay e.g. childhood stories