case studies and content analysis

Question 1

define the term case study

Answer 1

an in-depth investigation, description and analysis of an individual, group, institution or event

Question 2

which type of data do case studies typically yield?

Answer 2

qualitative

Question 3

define the term content analysis

Answer 3

a research technique that enables the indirect study of behaviour by examining communications that people produce

Question 4

define what is meant by coding in relation to content analysis

Answer 4

the stage of a content analysis in which the communication to be studied is analysed by identifying each instance of the chosen categories

Question 5

define thematic analysis in relation to content analysis

Answer 5

an inductive and qualitative approach to analysis that involves identifying implicit or explicit ideas within the data

Question 6

give a strength to case studies

Answer 6

rich and detailed and can shed light on atypical behaviours

Question 7

give a limitation to case studies

Answer 7

• they can be guilty of generalising findings

- accounts of events can be inaccurate due to memory decay this affects the validity

Question 8

give a strength to content analysis

Answer 8

• it can get around certain ethical issues as they use material such as TV shows or newspapers and so they don’t need to breach anyone’s privacy-
• can produce both qualitative and quantitative data

Question 9

give a limitation to content analysis

Answer 9

people are usually analysed outside of the context they appear in