Case studies

• Case study


  A detailed investigation of an individual or group of people that takes place over a period of time and involves a variety of methods
• Strengths of case studies

  • Allows researchers to study things that may be unethical or impractical to study
  • A great deal of quantitative and qualitative data can be gathered giving a detailed insight into the person or group
  • Longitudinal so changes over time can be observed
• Weaknesses of case studies

  • Focusing on a very small sample means that it may be difficult to generalise the findings to the wider population (lack population validity)
  • A detailed investigation of one person cannot be replicated- lack of scientific rigour as they cannot be tested for reliability
  • The researcher may become too deeply involved with the person or group being studied, meaning it will lack objectivity