9.1.5 Case Studies

• What is a case study?

  In-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event
• Retrospective case studies analyze past events.
• Case studies can generate new research hypotheses
• Match the data type with its collection method:

  Quantitative data ↔️ Psychological tests

  Qualitative data ↔️ Interviews

  Physiological measures ↔️ Heart rate monitoring

  Document analysis ↔️ Medical records
• Order the purposes of case studies in psychological research:

  1️⃣ Explore rare or complex phenomena

  2️⃣ Generate new hypotheses

  3️⃣ Test existing theories

  4️⃣ Examine unique cases

  5️⃣ Develop psychological interventions
• Structured interviews are used in case studies to gather personal perspectives.
• Case studies have high ecological validity
• What is one limitation of case studies regarding researcher interpretation?

  Subjectivity
• Match the limitation of case studies with its description:

  Subjectivity ↔️ Researcher bias in interpretation

  Lack of generalizability ↔️ Findings may not apply to others

  Difficulty establishing causality ↔️ Challenging to determine cause-and-effect
• What is the limitation of case studies called where researchers' interpretations can be biased?

  Subjectivity
• Case study findings are always applicable to other individuals or groups.

  False
• It is challenging in case studies to establish causality
• Why can a case study on a single individual with a rare condition not be generalized to others?

  Lack of generalizability
• Case studies are effective for establishing universal principles or causal relationships.

  False
• What is a case study defined as?

  In-depth investigation
• Case studies can be either retrospective or prospective
• Case studies are particularly useful for exploring common and well-understood phenomena.

  False
• What is an example of a case study that provided insights into brain function and personality?

  Phineas Gage
• Purposes of case studies in psychological research

  1️⃣ In-depth investigation of rare phenomena

  2️⃣ Generating new hypotheses

  3️⃣ Testing existing theories

  4️⃣ Examining unique cases

  5️⃣ Developing interventions
• Case studies are used to examine specific individuals or groups with unique behaviors or conditions
• Case studies can inform the design and improvement of psychological interventions.
• What are the two broad categories of data collected in case studies?

  Quantitative and qualitative
• Match the data type with an example of its collection method:

  Quantitative ↔️ Standardized tests

  Qualitative ↔️ Interviews
• What is the term for the in-depth exploration of complex behaviors in case studies?

  In-depth understanding
• Case studies enhance ecological validity
• Case studies can lead to the generation of new hypotheses by uncovering unexpected patterns.
• Which famous case study involved a brain injury that altered personality?

  Phineas Gage
• The case study of H.M. identified the hippocampus as key to long-term memory
• The case study of Genie highlighted the critical period for language development.
• Which psychological theory did the case study of Phineas Gage support?

  Localization of brain function
• The case study of Genie challenged the critical period hypothesis.

  False
• Match the ethical consideration with its description:

  Informed Consent ↔️ Understanding study's purpose and risks

  Confidentiality ↔️ Protecting personal information

  Potential Harm ↔️ Minimizing physical or psychological harm
• In the case study of Genie, ethical concerns arose due to her vulnerable state and lack of informed consent
• Case studies often involve vulnerable individuals and require ethical considerations.