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Case Study Method

The Case Study Method is a qualitative research approach used in psychology and social sciences to gain a deep understanding of a single subject, group, or phenomenon. It involves detailed exploration of the subject's context and behavior, providing rich insights but with limitations such as lack of generalizability and potential researcher bias. This method is commonly applied in clinical psychology, education, and medical studies, with various types including explanatory, descriptive, and exploratory case studies.

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3 views

Case Study Method

The Case Study Method is a qualitative research approach used in psychology and social sciences to gain a deep understanding of a single subject, group, or phenomenon. It involves detailed exploration of the subject's context and behavior, providing rich insights but with limitations such as lack of generalizability and potential researcher bias. This method is commonly applied in clinical psychology, education, and medical studies, with various types including explanatory, descriptive, and exploratory case studies.

Uploaded by

Yahiya Pracha
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Case Study Method

Introduction to Case Study Method

In psychology and other social sciences, researchers often use different methods to explore human
behavior deeply. One of the most important qualitative methods is the Case Study Method. This method is
especially useful when the researcher wants to gain a deep and detailed understanding of a person,
group, situation, or phenomenon. Instead of studying many people, this method focuses on just one case
or a few cases in great depth.

Meaning and Definition

A case study is a research method that involves a detailed, in-depth, and careful study of a single subject
(which can be an individual, a group, an event, an organization, or a community). The aim is to explore the
causes, relationships, and patterns of a behavior or situation in its real-life context.

In simple words, a case study is like telling the full story of a person or event—with all the background,
present issues, and possible outcomes included.

Purpose of Case Study Method

The case study method is used when the researcher wants to explore something deeply and
understand it as a whole. It is not focused on finding general laws or statistical results, but rather on
understanding the uniqueness and complexity of a single case. It is commonly used in clinical
psychology, education, counseling, and medical studies.

Features of Case Study

Case studies are holistic, meaning they consider the full background and context of the subject. They are
also qualitative, which means they involve descriptions, observations, interviews, and analysis of non-
numerical data. A case study may include personal histories, records, interviews, observations, and
sometimes even photographs or videos.

It is also important to note that case studies are subjective to some extent, as they are often influenced by
the researcher’s interpretation. However, they offer rich insights that are not always possible in other
methods.

Example of Case Study in Psychology


One of the most famous case studies in psychology is that of Phineas Gage, a railway worker in the 1800s
who survived a serious brain injury. A metal rod passed through his skull during an accident, damaging
parts of his frontal lobe. After the injury, his personality changed dramatically. Psychologists studied his
case in detail to understand the role of the brain in personality and behavior. This single case gave
important insights into the relationship between brain structure and mental functions.

Another example could be a case study of a child with autism. A psychologist may observe the child over
months, interview parents and teachers, analyze medical and school records, and understand how the child
behaves in different environments. This helps in planning treatment or intervention.

Types of Case Studies

There are several types of case studies depending on the purpose of the research:

1. Explanatory Case Study: Used to explain the reasons behind a problem or behavior.

2. Descriptive Case Study: Gives a detailed description of a subject.

3. Exploratory Case Study: Used to explore a topic for further study.

4. Instrumental Case Study: Used to understand something broader through a particular case.

5. Collective Case Study: Involves studying several cases at once to draw a common conclusion.

Advantages of Case Study Method

The biggest advantage of the case study method is that it gives detailed and deep information about the
subject. It allows the researcher to study something that cannot be studied in a lab or through experiments.
It is very helpful in clinical settings, where understanding the background of a patient is necessary for
treatment. Case studies also help generate new ideas and theories for future research.

Limitations of Case Study Method

Despite its strengths, the case study method has some limitations. First, because it focuses on only one or
a few cases, the results cannot be generalized to the whole population. Also, the researcher's own biases
and interpretations may affect the findings. Another limitation is that case studies take a lot of time and
effort, especially when collecting data through interviews, observation, and document analysis.

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