Case studies

• Case studies:

  • In-depth research done on individual (often psychologically unique/different) or particular group of people
  • Longitudinal + produce qualitative data
  • Use interviews, psychological assessments, questionnaires, observation + analysis of records (quantitative data)
  • Sometimes info is also gathered from 3rd party sources around the individual
• Case study strengths:

  • Detailed + in-depth insight into unusual behaviour/phenomena -> considers differences between people, helps understanding complex/under-researched topics + is less superficial than an experiment/questionnaire
  • Contributes to understanding 'typical' functions/behaviours
  • Generate hypotheses which go against preexisting theories = potential paradigm shifts
  • Allows researchers to study phenomena they would otherwise be unable to
  • Results in lots of qualitative data (+ sometimes quantitative)
• Case studies weaknesses:

  • Results can't be generalised due to small + unique sample sizes = not accurate to wider population
  • Results are subjective due to personal involvement + reporting of researcher (their interpretation + selection of material they include in final report may not be objective = biased)
  • Personal connections of people who are close to subject may be biased or prone to inaccuracy/memory decay = lower validity
  • Not replicable