Case Studies

Question 1

What is a case study

Answer 1

An in-depth study conducted into one group or one person. They can be over a long period of time (longitudinal), often use descriptive analysis and are often use one or more methodologies e.g. interviews and observations e.g. Bowlby’s 44 Juvenile Thieves study

Question 2

The main features of case studies

Answer 2

In depth study of an individual, group or event Often over a long period of time
Can be used alongside other techniques such as interviews, e.g. Bowlby’s 44 Juvenile Thieves study They usually use multiple methodologies, such as interviews and observations Can collect qualitative and quantitative data

Question 3

Strengths of a case study

Answer 3

+ Allows researchers to study cases they could not practically or ethically manipulate in an experiment e.g. cases of amnesia you can’t give people neurological damage to see how it effects memory.
+ High ecological validity as case studies study real life situations.
+ Findings are often valid as the researcher can triangulate findings from different methods used on the same case study.

Question 4

Weakness of case studies

Answer 4

Possible ethical issues with case studies as there are issues of anonymity or confidentiality due to studying one group or individual
- Case studies are low in reliability as they are based on naturally occurring events. Therefore is it difficult to repeat the study to check for consistent results.