Case Studies NOT ON SPEC BUT U NEED TO K

Question 1

What are case studies

Answer 1

A case study involves the detailed study of a single individual or a small
group of people.

Question 2

Conducting case studies

Answer 2

Conducting a case study usually (but not always) involves the production of qualitative data. Researchers will construct a case history of the individual concerned, perhaps using interviews, observations, questionnaires, or a combination of all of these.

Question 3

Phineas Gage

Answer 3

• the effect of damage to the prefrontal cortex on personality

Question 4

Genie

Answer 4

• investigating the effect of abuse/ neglect on development

Question 5

David Reimer

Answer 5

• investigating whether gender is biologically determined or socialised

Question 6

HM

Answer 6

• investigating the impact of damage to the hippocampus on memory

Question 7

Clive Wearing

Answer 7

-investigating the impact of damage to the hippocampus on memory

Question 8

What type of studies are case studies?

Answer 8

Case studies are generally longitudinal studies, which means they follow the individual or group over a an extended period of time.

Question 9

Evaluation of longitudinal studies

Answer 9

Strengths - allows to look at changes over time

Limitations- participants may drop out, which can lead to a small sample size

Question 10

STRENGTHS of case studies

Answer 10

High levels of validity due to rich insight
Efficient
Allow researchers to study events they could not practically or ethically manipulate

Question 11

LIMITATIONS of case studies

Answer 11

Researcher bias: researchers can become too involved and lose their objectivity - misinterpreting or influencing outcomes.
It can be difficult to establish cause and effect because there are many confounding variables.
Lack of control: extraneous variables can affect the outcome.
They lack scientific rigour and can be difficult to replicate.