Case studies- RESEARCH METHODS

Question 1

Case study

Answer 1

• Study one participant, small group or an instituition

Question 2

Strength of case study

Answer 2

• Able to get in- depth data from a range of different methods
• Can check for concurrent validity
• Allows us to investigate one- off cases that we cannot ethically manipulate
• Starting point for larger scale investigations

Question 3

Weakness of case study (5)

Answer 3

• Can become subjective- if you’re spending time with psychologists there might be demand characteristics- (want to please them)
• Might be experimental bias- researcher can lose objectivity
• Can’t generalise our results to wide population- don’t know if group or person is unique
• Attrition rate = drop out rate from study -> in a case study- study is over- lose all data- only 1 group/ individual
• Need to be careful we’re still respecting participants’ rights- ethical