Chapter 6 Flashcards
An in-depth analysis of an individual, group, event or phenomenon.
Case study
An in-depth analysis of an individual, group, event or phenomenon.
Case study
Core features of a case study
Has a defined unit of analysis for the case
Advantages of a case study
- Flexibility due to the small number of participants
- Can use a wide variety of techniques to collect data
- Able to collect a lot of details on one or more people
- Individual cases can provide insight into broader conditions
- lead to new hypothesizes
- Provide support of the external validity of other research methods
Examining an individual case in depth within it’s real-life context
Qualitative case study
Researchers rely primarily on numerical assessments and analysis to describe and understand a case
Quantitative case study
Researchers rely substantially on both quantitative and qualitative analysis to explore a case
Mixed-methods case study
Researchers rely substantially on both quantitative and qualitative analysis to explore a case
Mixed-methods case study
A case is examined in depth due to some inherent interest in learning about that particular case
intrinsic case study
A case is analyzed in depth because it can help us learn about a broader phenomenon
instrumental case study
Several cases are studied in depth for the purpose of learning about a broader phenomenon
Collective case study
Researchers analyse one case
single case study
Researchers study multiple cases
multiple case study design
Researchers study multiple cases
multiple case study design
How to collect data in a case study
direct observation or questioning
The researcher identifies in advance a set of topics or themes to be discussed with the interviewee, but the structure remains flexible
semi-structured interview
A moderator leads a group of people through an interview
focus group
Additional ways a case study can gather data
Psychological and neurological tests, brain imaging, ect.
Limitations of case studies
- Difficulty drawing clear causal conclusions
- the generalizability of findings is not possible
- The potential for observer bias
Limitations of case studies
- Difficulty drawing clear causal conclusions
- the generalizability of findings is not possible
- The potential for observer bias