Research methods- Case studies

Question 1

What are case studies?

Answer 1

-Detailed and in-depth analysis of individual, group, institution or event (qualitative)
-Can focus on more ‘typical’ cases
-Different techniques can be used (e.g. interviews and observations- personality or IQ tests can be used too (quantitative))
-Longitudinal= take place over a long period of time
-Gathers data from family and friends as well as the individual themselves

Question 2

AO3 (strength)

Answer 2

P- Enable study of unusual behaviour
E- Some behaviours are very rare and cannot be studied using other methods.
E- Cases help understanding of ‘typical’ functioning

Question 3

AO3 (limitation)

Answer 3

P- Prone to researcher bias
E- Conclusions are based on the subjective interpretation of the researcher and personal accounts
E- Reduces validity

Question 4

AO3 (strength)

Answer 4

P- Offer rich and detailed insights into unusual behaviour
E- Preferred to more superficial forms of data that might be collected from an experiment
E- Increase validity of collected data