A case study involves the detailed study of a single individual,event or instituion
AO1
Many research methods can be used to obtain information from case studies e.g. interviews and observations
The findings from case studies are often longitudinal and reflect the individuals emotions and abilities
AO3
P- Case Studies cannot be generalised to the
whole population.
E- Since case studies only focus on one particular person/event, there is no way of telling whether or not the results gathered from these studies would be
applicable in anoter situation. They are also hard to replicate due to 'can do/ can't do' with participants.
E- In the case of Clive Wearing, it was just a coincidence that the damage to his hippocampus was able to be studied by psychologists. It would be unethical to
replicate this study on a healthy person therefore the results cannot be generalised to the entire population.
L- since case studies only focus on a single event or person, the results generated cannot be applied to everyone.
P- Case Studies are extremely time consuming
E- Most case studies take place over the course of months and sometimes years. During that time, the individual may decide
to pull out of the study and leave the study unfinished
E- In the case of Baby Bruce/Brenda (Diamond and Sigmundson 1997), the study into nature v nurture in gender development lasted over 10 years.
L- Case studies are extremely time consuming and can lead to the study being ended prematurely
P- Case Studies can provided highly detailed information.
E- Since case studies occur without any intentions, they produce raw information that comes
direct from real life. This gives the information substantial ecological validity and can be used
to support many theories.
E- In the case of H.M, the information gathered gave psychologists an insight into the workings of our memory and also led to the discovery of
Anterograde Amnesia (normal memory prior to incident)
L- Case studies can be essential to obtaining detailed information that would otherwise remain undiscovered