Case Studies in Clinical

Question 1

Case Studies AO1

4

Answer 1

Study of a group, unique event or individual.
Provides in-depth info. on an event or individual
Attitudes, emotions can be recorded which would otherwise be difficult to study
Qualitative data can be taken and then analysed for themes

Question 2

Eval of Case Studies

4

Answer 2

May be difficult to generalise because each one has unique characteristics and we can’t make before and after comparisons

Recollection of past events may be unreliable because memories are inaccurate

Researchers may lack objectivity as they themselves are involved in the case

Ethical Issues such as informed consent are especially important for clinical case studies

Question 3

Example Case Study and links to 4 Eval. points only

Answer 3

Lavarrene et al. (2013)

Used a therapy group to explore how group can provide a firm boundary

Lack of generalizability - Earl lived in a basement, eating only tomato sauce and crackers, very unusual situation. Only 6 members in this session

Poor memory - Relying on the memory of SZ patients to explain behaviour e.g. Dan’s girlfriend’s demands

Lack of researcher objectivity - Researchers had been running the group for several years, lost objectivity e.g. Sessions were not videotaped

Ethical issues - All patients have SZ, issues about being able to give full consent