research methods: self-report methods -> case studies

Question 1

What is a case study?

Answer 1

An in-depth investigation, description and analysis of a single individual, group, institution or event

Question 2

What are examples of case studies?

Answer 2

HM, Clive Wearing, Little Hans, Little Albert

Question 3

What do case studies often involve?

Answer 3

Analysis of unusual individuals or events

Question 4

What does conducting a case study involve the production of?

Answer 4

Qualitiative data

Question 5

How are case studies constructed?

Answer 5

Using interviews, observations, questionnaires or a combination

Question 6

What will a subject be put through to produce what?

Answer 6

If possible, the subject may be put through a series of psychological testing which may produce quantitative data

Question 7

What word describes the length of time case studies take?

Answer 7

Case studies may be longitudinal, taking place over a long period of time or might include data from family members or friends

Question 8

What is triangulation?

Answer 8

A method used by qualitative researchers to check validity of data

Question 9

What does triangulation involve?

Answer 9

• Participant observation
• In-depth interview
• Online survey results

Question 10

What does data triangulation use?

Answer 10

Uses a variety of data from different sources

Question 11

What does researcher triangulation use?

Answer 11

Uses different researchers for the same experiment

Question 12

What does methodological triangulation use?

Answer 12

Uses different research methods for one topic of research

Question 13

Evaluation: Rich and detailed qualitative data

Answer 13

• An advantage of case studies is that qualitative data is generated, which is often more valid than quantitative
• case studies provides rich and detailed data which allow for great insight into a patient, particularly when looking at atypical or unusual behaviour

Question 14

Evaluation: High ecological validity -> strength

Answer 14

• Case studies are less superficial than lab experiments and questionnaires which lack mundane realism
• therefore, case studies have higher ecological validity
• may generate hypotheses for future study and one solitary contradictory instance may lead to revision of an entire theory

Question 15

Evaluation: Subjectivity bias causes low validity -> limitation

Answer 15

• Case studies are based on the analysis of qualitative data which depends on the interpretation the psychologist places on the information
• This means that there is a lot of scope for observer bias and it could be that the subjective opinions of the psychologist intrude in the assessment of what the data actually means

Question 16

Evaluation: Generalisability -> limitation

Answer 16

• Case studies lack generalisability to other times, cultures, places and people because a case study deals with only one person/event/group
• therefore, we can never be sure whether the conclusions drawn from this particular case apply elsewhere