Research Methods- Case studies and content analysis Flashcards
Case studies -
An in-depth investigation, description and analysis of a single individual, group, institution or event.
Coding -
The stage of a content analysis in which the communication to be studied is analysed by identifying each instance of the chosen categories (which may be words, sentences, phrases, etc.).
Content analysis -
A research technique that enables the indirect study of behaviour by examining communications that people produce, for example, in texts, emails, TV, film and other media.
Thematic analysis -
An inductive and qualitative approach to analysis that involves identifying implicit or explicit ideas within the data. Themes will often emerge once the data has been coded.
What is a case study in psychology?
A case study is a detailed and in-depth analysis of an individual, group, institution, or event.
What types of subjects are often studied in case studies?
Case studies often focus on unusual individuals or events, such as someone with a rare disorder or a significant event like the 2011 London riots, but they can also study more typical cases, such as an elderly person’s childhood recollections.
What kind of data is typically produced in case studies?
Case studies usually produce qualitative data, though they may also include quantitative data from psychological testing or experiments.
How long do case studies typically last?
Case studies are often longitudinal, meaning they take place over a long period of time.
What methods are used to gather data in case studies?
Methods include interviews, observations, questionnaires, and sometimes experimental or psychological testing.
What additional sources of data might be used in a case study?
Data may be gathered from family and friends of the individual, as well as from the individual themselves.
What is content analysis?
Content analysis is a type of observational research where people are studied indirectly through their communications, such as conversations, texts, emails, books, TV programs, or films.
What is the aim of content analysis?
The aim is to summarize and describe communication in a systematic way to draw overall conclusions.
What is coding in content analysis?
Coding is the initial stage of content analysis where data is categorized into meaningful units, often by counting the frequency of specific words or phrases.
What is an example of quantitative data in content analysis?
An example is counting how often derogatory terms like “crazy” or “mad” are used in newspaper reports about mental health.
What is thematic analysis in content analysis?
Thematic analysis involves identifying recurrent ideas or themes in the data, which may be more descriptive than coding units.
What is an example of a theme in thematic analysis?
An example is representing people with mental health problems in newspapers as “a threat to the wellbeing of our children” or “a drain on NHS resources.”
How are themes developed in thematic analysis?
Themes may be developed into broader categories, such as “control,” “stereotyping,” or “treatment,” and tested for validity with new data.
What are the strengths of case studies?
Case studies provide rich, detailed insights into unusual behaviors and can contribute to understanding normal functioning. They can also generate hypotheses and challenge existing theories.
What are the limitations of case studies?
Limitations include difficulties in generalizing findings due to small sample sizes, subjective interpretation by researchers, and potential inaccuracies in personal accounts.
What are the limitations of content analysis?
Limitations include studying communication outside its original context, potential researcher bias, and a lack of objectivity, especially in thematic analysis.
What are the strengths of content analysis?
Content analysis avoids many ethical issues, as it often uses publicly available material. It is flexible, producing both qualitative and quantitative data, and has high external validity when participants consent.
How do modern analysts address bias in content analysis?
Modern analysts often acknowledge their biases and preconceptions, referencing them in their final reports to improve transparency (reflexivity).
