case studies

• what are case studies

  To study a ‘case’ in psychology is to provide a detailed and in-depth analysis of an individual, small group, institution or event. Case studies often involve analysis of unusual individuals or events, such as a person with a rare disorder or exhibiting abnormal/atypical behaviours.

  However, case studies may also concentrate on more ‘typical’ cases where an individual reflects on recollections on their experiences, for example your childhood.
• how are case studies recorded

  Conducting case studies involves the collection of qualitative data. Researchers will conduct a case history of the individual concerned by using interviews, observations, questionnaires or a combination of all of theses.
• case studies strengths

  Rich detail

  provide depth and understanding about individuals. Information relates to a real person, not an average gathered from many. allows the study of unique behaviours/experiences that could not have been studies any other way.
• case study limitation

  Not representative

  as no two case studies are alike, results cannot be generalised to others.
• case study limitation

  Researcher bias

  researchers conducting case studies may have to be biased in their interpretation or method of reporting- making findings suspect.
• case study limitation

  Reliance on memory

  case studies often depend upon participants having full and accurate memories to recollect events.
• pilot study


  A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of the actual investigation, the investigation might be an experiment or any one of the other methods of investigation (non-experimental methods). When conducting pilot studies for questionnaires or interviews, it is helpful to try out questions in advance and remove or re-word any that are confusing or not clear enough. In observational studies, a pilot study provide a way of checking coding systems before the real investigation is undertaken. This may be an important part of training observers.
• single blind procedures

  Single blind procedures are sometimes used when participants are not going to be told the aim of the research study at the beginning. Other details may also be kept from participants, such as which condition of the experiment they are in of whether there is another condition at all. 

  This known as a single blind procedure and is an attempt to control any confounding effects of demand characteristics.
• double blind procedure 


  In a double-blind procedure neither the participants nor the researcher who conducts the study is aware of the aims of the investigation. Often a third party conducts the investigation without knowing the main purpose.

  Double-blind procedures are often an important feature of drug trials. Treatment may be administered to patients by someone who is independent of the investigation and who does not know which drugs are real and with are placebos.