research methods: self-report methods -> case studies Flashcards
What is a case study?
An in-depth investigation, description and analysis of a single individual, group, institution or event
What are examples of case studies?
HM, Clive Wearing, Little Hans, Little Albert
What do case studies often involve?
Analysis of unusual individuals or events
What does conducting a case study involve the production of?
Qualitiative data
How are case studies constructed?
Using interviews, observations, questionnaires or a combination
What will a subject be put through to produce what?
If possible, the subject may be put through a series of psychological testing which may produce quantitative data
What word describes the length of time case studies take?
Case studies may be longitudinal, taking place over a long period of time or might include data from family members or friends
What is triangulation?
A method used by qualitative researchers to check validity of data
What does triangulation involve?
- Participant observation
- In-depth interview
- Online survey results
What does data triangulation use?
Uses a variety of data from different sources
What does researcher triangulation use?
Uses different researchers for the same experiment
What does methodological triangulation use?
Uses different research methods for one topic of research
Evaluation: Rich and detailed qualitative data
- An advantage of case studies is that qualitative data is generated, which is often more valid than quantitative
- case studies provides rich and detailed data which allow for great insight into a patient, particularly when looking at atypical or unusual behaviour
Evaluation: High ecological validity -> strength
- Case studies are less superficial than lab experiments and questionnaires which lack mundane realism
- therefore, case studies have higher ecological validity
- may generate hypotheses for future study and one solitary contradictory instance may lead to revision of an entire theory
Evaluation: Subjectivity bias causes low validity -> limitation
- Case studies are based on the analysis of qualitative data which depends on the interpretation the psychologist places on the information
- This means that there is a lot of scope for observer bias and it could be that the subjective opinions of the psychologist intrude in the assessment of what the data actually means
Evaluation: Generalisability -> limitation
- Case studies lack generalisability to other times, cultures, places and people because a case study deals with only one person/event/group
- therefore, we can never be sure whether the conclusions drawn from this particular case apply elsewhere
