Case studies

• case studies are an in-depth investigation, description and analysis of a single individual or event
• Case studies often focus on more unique cases but can also study more typical cases
• Case studies obtain qualitative data (e.g. observations, interviews, questionnaires, etc)
• Phineas Gage:

  • worked on a rail road
  • metal rod went through his left cheek, behind his left eye, through the optic nerve and out his forehead
  • observed at Harvard in 1850
  • demonstrates post traumatic personality change
• Genie Wiley:

  • suffered the worst child abuse recorded in US history
  • was held captive, starved and deprived of human interaction for 13 years
  • Lacked development, physically she was 6, psychologically she was 3
• STRENGTHS of case studies:

  • rich detailed insights- in-depth study of atypical behaviour
  • Generate new hypotheses- allows theories to be revised and revisited
  • Avoids ethical issues- researchers do not harm individuals
  • Longitudinal- understand development
• LIMITATIONS of case studies:

  • subjectivity bias- info collected and reported is subjective and based on researcher's interpretation
  • Generalisation- small and unique sample sizes makes it difficult to generalise to a wider population
  • Inaccurate accounts- due to memory decay, validity is reduced
  • Longitudinal- costly
• Case study


  Collects detailed information on an individual or a small group of people who have an unusual experience
• Case studies are often longitudinal
• Case studies use a range of methods to collect data