Case Study Method

A case study is an in-depth study that gathers a lot of detail about one person or a small group. It involves many research methods. It has an aim but no hypothesis. Interviews, questionnaires, experiments, secondary data and case histories can be used to collect data.

Features of a case study
- In-depth, detailed

- Focuses on one person or a small group of people

- Uses many methods to collect information

Qualitative and Quantitative data
Qualitative - Rich data, open questions, asking for someone's opinion. In-depth, detailed and personal information. Explanations and examples from the subject of the study.

Quantitative- Numerical data, numbers, statistics, eg. results from a brain scan. Closed questions are also in this category.

Weaknesses of case studies
Generalisability: They are not generalisable, the results cannot be applied to all people because a case study is a study on only one person or a small group of people. Other people may behave differently.

Reliability: This is measured based on if another study would give the same results. Case studies are not reliable because they are difficult to repeat because of the different methods used and the depth of the data. If a case study is repeated the results would be different.

Subjectivity and Objectivity: Case studies are subjective and not objective (see key terminology). This means that the researcher has somehow affected the results, it is biased/subjective. Case studies are subjective because the researcher has selected and interpreted the results. A study needs to be objective to be more scientific.

Strengths
Valid: It collects valid, real life data that directly applies to real life situations because a case study is about real events.

Detail: It can collect data that is hard to find in anyway. They are very detailed and provide information about many aspects of someone's life. Not many other research methods can achieve this.

Ethics
Privacy: Making sure the identity of the participant is kept secret. Names must not be recorded and they must not be identifiable.

Confidentiality: Refers to the participant's right to withdraw/withhold information from the researcher. Information about the participant would not be shared with others without permission.

Little Hans
See Freud's 1900 Theory of Dreaming for more information. This is a case study that you are required to learn about in this syllabus.