PsychologyNEB 2076 (old course)

What is case study? State the merits and demerits of case study method.

1

Answer

In-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or eveDefinitionProvides **rich, detailed data** (qualitative depth).Useful for **rare/unique cases** (e.g., psychological disordFlexible data collection (interviews, observations, records)Generates **hypotheses** for further research.MeritsLacks **generalizability** (cannot apply broadly).Subject to **researcher bias** (subjective interpretation).Time-consuming and **costly** (long-term commitment).Difficult to **replicate** (unique context).DemeritsCase Study Method
Hierarchy of case study method components with icons for clarity.

Case Study refers to an in-depth, intensive investigation of a single individual, group, event, or community. It involves collecting detailed data through various methods such as interviews, observations, and records to understand the complexity of the subject.

Merits of Case Study Method

  • Rich and Detailed Data: Provides comprehensive insights into the subject.
  • Useful for Unique Cases: Ideal for studying rare or exceptional cases.
  • Flexibility: Allows researchers to adapt methods as needed.
  • Hypothesis Generation: Helps in formulating new research questions.
2007 BSPhineas Gage (1848AD) – Early case study2020 BSGenie (1970 AD) –Critical study on lang2078 BSModern digitalcase studies (e.g., so
Historical and contemporary case study milestones in psychology.
022.54567.590Generalizability20Depth of Data90Flexibility85Hypothesis Generation75
Relative strengths of case studies (1–100 scale; 100 = highest).

Demerits of Case Study Method

  • Lack of Generalizability: Findings cannot be generalized to broader populations.
  • Researcher Bias: Subjective interpretation may affect results.
  • Time-Consuming: Requires extensive time and resources.
  • Difficulty in Replication: Hard to repeat due to unique contexts.

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