case studies and content analysis

Question 1

what is content analysis?

Answer 1

a research method that analyses qualitative data by converting it into quantitative data using coding

Question 2

does content analysis collect its own data?

Answer 2

no – it uses pre-recorded material (e.g. transcripts, scripts, media, text messages)

Question 3

give three examples of material used in content analysis

Answer 3

transcripts of conversations
text messages
film screenplays

Question 4

what is the aim of content analysis?

Answer 4

to summarise and identify patterns in spoken or written material using structured coding procedures

Question 5

define coding in research

Answer 5

a method of converting qualitative, visual or auditory data into quantitative numerical data by assigning behaviours to categories

Question 6

outline the content analysis procedure (5 steps)

Answer 6

1. formulate research question
   
   2. select sample of pre-existing qualitative material
   3. decide coding categories
   4. tally/count occurrences
   5. test reliability (test-retest or inter-rater)

Question 7

what is test-retest reliability in content analysis?

Answer 7

repeating the content analysis on the same material and comparing results

Question 8

what is inter-rater reliability in content analysis?

Answer 8

a second researcher uses the same coding categories on the same data and results are compared

Question 9

what would good inter-rater reliability show?

Answer 9

similar results between raters → high reliability

Question 10

summarise the findings of Waynforth & Dunbar (1995)

Answer 10

men targeted younger women and emphasised resources
women targeted older men and emphasised attractiveness

Question 11

how did Waynforth & Dunbar analyse their data?

Answer 11

they coded themes from 881 lonely hearts adverts and converted qualitative themes into numerical data

Question 12

one strength of content analysis linked to validity

Answer 12

original qualitative data is rich in detail → high external validity

Question 13

one strength of content analysis linked to reliability

Answer 13

quantitative coding allows patterns to be compared easily → increases reliability

Question 14

why is content analysis ethically flexible?

Answer 14

uses public domain material → no need for informed consent

Question 15

one limitation of content analysis linked to context

Answer 15

researcher may not know the original context of the material → reduced validity

Question 16

why might converting qualitative to quantitative data reduce validity?

Answer 16

numerical values may lose emotional depth and meaning

Question 17

what is thematic analysis?

Answer 17

a qualitative method used to identify, analyse and report patterns (themes) within data

Question 18

is thematic analysis inductive or deductive?

Answer 18

inductive – themes emerge from the data (no hypothesis testing)

Question 19

what is a theme?

Answer 19

a recurring idea, topic or pattern within qualitative data

Question 20

outline the procedure of thematic analysis

Answer 20

1. familiarise with data (read repeatedly)
   
   2. identify recurring patterns
   3. review themes
   4. define and categorise themes
   5. write up analysis

Question 21

one strength of thematic analysis linked to validity

Answer 21

provides deep insight into thoughts and experiences → high ecological validity

Question 22

why does quoting participants strengthen thematic analysis?

Answer 22

adds context and preserves subjective meaning

Question 23

one limitation of thematic analysis linked to practicality

Answer 23

very time-consuming due to repeated analysis

Question 24

one limitation of thematic analysis linked to bias

Answer 24

researchers may show confirmation bias when identifying themes

Question 25

define a case study

Answer 25

a detailed, in-depth investigation of an individual or small group

Question 26

why are case studies useful in a level psychology?

Answer 26

they allow researchers to study rare, unusual or unique experiences

Question 27

give three examples of situations suitable for a case study

Answer 27

hemispherectomy for epilepsy childhood in a cult dissociative identity disorder

Question 28

what type of data do case studies mainly collect?

Answer 28

qualitative data (e.g. interviews, observations, open-ended questions)

Question 29

why are case studies considered idiographic?

Answer 29

they focus on the unique, individual experience of one person

Question 30

can case studies generate quantitative data? give exam.

Answer 30

yes – memory tests, IQ tests, closed questionnaire responses

Question 31

define triangulation of method

Answer 31

using more than one research method in the same study

Question 32

define triangulation of data

Answer 32

generating more than one type/set of data in the same study

Question 33

define triangulation of research

Answer 33

using more than one researcher to collect or analyse data

Question 34

why does triangulation strengthen a case study?

Answer 34

it increases credibility and validity by cross-checking findings

Question 35

why are most case studies longitudinal?

Answer 35

they track a participant’s experience or progress over time

Question 36

what does longitudinal mean?

Answer 36

data is collected from the same participant(s) over an extended period

Question 37

what qualitative data was collected from HM?

Answer 37

interviews and observations at home and in hospital

Question 38

who was HM?

Answer 38

an individual studied after brain surgery that removed parts of his hippocampus

Question 39

what quantitative data was collected from HM?

Answer 39

memory tests, IQ tests, MRI brain scans

Question 40

what did research on HM conclude?

Answer 40

the hippocampus plays a crucial role in forming new memories

Question 41

one strength of case studies linked to validity

Answer 41

rich, in-depth data → high ecological validity

Question 42

what is meant by a holistic approach in case studies?

Answer 42

considering the whole individual rather than isolated variables

Question 43

how can rare case studies help us understand normal functioning?

Answer 43

studying abnormal functioning (e.g. brain damage) highlights how typical systems work

Question 44

one major limitation of case studies

Answer 44

low generalisability due to small sample size

Question 45

why are case study findings difficult to generalise?

Answer 45

they represent only one person or a very small group

Question 46

how can researcher–participant relationships reduce validity?

Answer 46

researchers may lose objectivity and show bias

Question 47

how does bias affect case study findings?

Answer 47

it reduces validity because results may be distorted