5.4.1 Case Studies

• What are case studies used to understand in-depth?

  Complex behaviors
• Case studies offer high generalizability due to their broad scope.

  False
• Case studies involve an in-depth examination of a single individual or small group
• What type of study is a case study if it tracks the subject over a significant period?

  Longitudinal
• An exploratory case study is used to investigate new areas
• Explanatory case studies focus on testing hypotheses and understanding cause-and-effect relationships.
• Match the type of case study with its purpose:

  Exploratory ↔️ Investigate new areas

  Explanatory ↔️ Understand cause-and-effect relationships

  Descriptive ↔️ Provide detailed accounts
• What is a key advantage of case studies in terms of analysis?

  In-depth analysis
• Case studies lack control over variables, making it difficult to establish causality.
• A major limitation of case studies is their lack of generalizability
• What is a paramount ethical consideration in case studies to protect personal information?

  Confidentiality
• Researchers must ensure informed consent to participants in case studies to comply with ethical standards.
• What is the purpose of informed consent in case studies?

  Ensures participant understanding
• Confidentiality in case studies is essential to protect personal information from unauthorized disclosure.
• In case studies, avoiding bias is crucial to ensure objective data interpretation
• What is the primary focus of ethical considerations in case studies compared to other research methods?

  Psychological safety
• Case studies focus on understanding the complexities of particular behaviors or disorders.
• One key characteristic of case studies is their in-depth analysis
• What does a holistic view in case studies consider?

  Context, history, environment
• Case studies provide in-depth analysis of complex cases.
• Case studies can help generate new hypotheses for future research
• What is one novel insight that case studies can reveal?

  Unexpected discoveries
• Order the following advantages of case studies:

  1️⃣ In-depth analysis

  2️⃣ Contextual understanding

  3️⃣ Hypothesis generation

  4️⃣ Novel insights
• Case studies help generate new hypotheses for future research
• What is one advantage of case studies in clinical psychology research?

  In-depth analysis
• Case studies help generate new hypotheses for future research
• What is a novel insight that case studies can reveal?

  Unexpected discoveries
• Case studies provide a thorough examination of complex cases.
• Match the advantage of case studies with its explanation:

  In-depth Analysis ↔️ Provides thorough examination of complex cases

  Contextual Understanding ↔️ Considers the full context of the individual's life

  Hypothesis Generation ↔️ Helps generate new hypotheses for future research

  Novel Insights ↔️ Reveals unique patterns and unexpected discoveries
• In-depth analysis in case studies involves examining complex cases
• Why is contextual understanding an advantage of case studies?

  Considers individual life
• Case studies are valuable in clinical psychology research because they provide depth and contextual understanding.
• One limitation of case studies is the lack of generalizability
• What is one source of bias in case studies?

  Subjectivity
• Case studies are time-consuming and require significant resources.
• Order the limitations of case studies from least to most impactful:

  1️⃣ Subjectivity and Bias

  2️⃣ Lack of Generalizability

  3️⃣ Time-Consuming

  4️⃣ Lack of Control
• Match the limitation of case studies with its description:

  Lack of Generalizability ↔️ Findings are not applicable to wider populations

  Subjectivity and Bias ↔️ Research is prone to personal bias

  Time-Consuming ↔️ Requires significant time and resources

  Lack of Control ↔️ Variables are not controlled, hindering causality
• Case studies suffer from a lack of generalizability, meaning findings cannot be applied to wider populations
• Why is subjectivity a limitation of case studies?

  Prone to personal bias
• The limitations of case studies should be considered when evaluating their usefulness in research.