Case studies

• Describe what is meant be case studies

  • A detailed and in-depth analysis of an individual, group, even or institution
  • Take place over a long period of time (longitudinal)
  • Involves gathering data from family and friends about the individual as well as themselves
• Describe how case studies can be unusual

  • Some case studies involve the analysis of unusual individuals and events
  • E.g. a person with a rare disorder or a person with a who suffered a rare phenomena - e.g Phineas gage
  • Events like bombing or riots
• Describe how case studies can reflect typical research

  • Case studies which may concentrate on typical cases
  • E.g elderly persons recollection of their childhood
• The use of qualitative data in case studies

  • Researchers conduct case history
  • Looking a the individual the events concerned
  • Through observations, questionnaires or a combination
• Explain how case studies provide rich, detailed insights into behaviour - A03

  • Case studies are preferred to the more superficial form of data like the experimental approach
  • This amount of detail increases the validity of the data collected
• Explain how case studies enable us to study unusual behaviour - AO3

  • Some behaviours/ conditions are rare and cannot be be studied using other methods
  • Some case studies can allow us to help understand normal functioning
• Explain how case studies can be prone to researcher bias - AO3

  • Conclusions taken from case studies are based on investigators owns interpretation
  • Which might be subjective
  • Reduces the validity of the study
• Explain how participants accounts in case studies may be biased

  • Personal accounts from participants and family may be prone to inaccuracy/ memory decay
  • Therefore evidence provided may be low in validity