Case Study Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a case study?

Case study methods involve systematically gathering enough information about a particular person, social setting, event, or group to permit the researcher to effectively understand how it operates or functions.

Who do case studies focus on? (Select all that apply)

Social groups (correct)

Individuals (correct)

Communities (correct)

Organizations, institutions (correct)

Events, roles, relationships and interactions (correct)

What are the characteristics of a case study? (Select all that apply)

A descriptive study (correct)

Process-oriented (correct)

In-depth investigation of experiences that allow to identify interactions and influences on psychological processes (correct)

Combines objective and subjective data (correct)

The procedure in conducting a case study includes determining the ___.

case Signup and view all the answers

List 5 data collection methods in a case study.

Document analysis, Surveys, Participant or non-participant observation, Participatory or action research, Interviews Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of a case study? (Select all that apply)

Emphasizes in-depth content Signup and view all the answers

What are the disadvantages of a case study? (Select all that apply)

Data can hold unreliable memory distortions from subjects Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Case Study Definition

Case studies gather extensive information about a person, setting, event, or group to understand its operation or function.

Focus of Case Studies

Case studies can focus on individuals, communities, social groups, organizations, institutions, and various events, roles, and interactions.

Characteristics of Case Studies

Descriptive in nature, providing a narrative analysis of situations.
Combines both objective and subjective data for a comprehensive view.
Emphasizes a process-oriented approach to research.
In-depth investigations reveal interactions influencing psychological processes.

Procedure for Conducting a Case Study

Determine the specific case to study.
Use purposeful sampling to select relevant participants or data.
Conduct extensive data collection from multiple sources.
Perform holistic analysis focusing on key themes contextual to the case.
For multiple cases, employ within-case analysis and cross-case thematic analysis.

Data Collection Methods

Include document analysis, surveys, participant or non-participant observations, participatory or action research, and interviews.

Advantages of Case Studies

More flexible than other research types, allowing exploration as it develops.
Facilitates deep, in-depth content analysis using diverse data sources.
Conducted in natural settings, ensuring context-rich data.
Can lead to the formulation of new hypotheses for future testing.
May provide insights that challenge or expand established theories.
Useful for investigating situations that are otherwise inaccessible.

Disadvantages of Case Studies

Unique data make replication difficult, challenging the validation of findings.
Potential subjectivity and researcher bias may affect results.
In-depth research limits scalability and generalization to larger populations.
Issues surrounding reliability, validity, and generalizability of results.
Subjects may contribute unreliable memory distortions impacting data accuracy.

Description

This quiz focuses on the concept of case studies, exploring definitions and key aspects of this research method. Test your understanding of who or what can be subjected to case study analysis, including individuals, groups, and events.