Case studies

    Cards (3)

    • 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