psychological reports

• what is a case study 


  they are very detailed investigations of an individual or small group of people, usually regarding an unusual phenomenon or biological event
• strengths of case study 


  -studying abnormal psychology can help us get an insight into things

  -rich and in depth data
• weaknesses of case study


  -little control over a number of variables involved, difficult to establish cause and relationship

  -small sample size, low generalisability
• what is a meta analysis 


  process when researchers collect and collate a wide range of previously conducted research on a specific area

  the research is then reviewed to give an overall conclusion
• strengths of meta analysis


  -increases validity of the conclusions drawn

  -helps direct future research
• weaknesses of meta analysis 


  -research designs in studies can vary so they aren't truly comparable

  -researchers may have an element of bias as they can choose what studies to include
• what is longitudinal


  a type of correlational research that involves looking at variables over an extended period of time
• strengths of longitudinal 


  -provides an unique insight that may not be otherwise possible

  -quantitative data, easy to analyse
• weakness of longitudinal 


  -expensive and time consuming

  -participants sometimes drop out of the study