Case studies

• Non-experimental method of in-depth investigation of single person or group

  Data is gathered from variety of sources and it is a holistic approach
• Advantages of case studies

  • Allows rich indepth qualitative data, high ecological validity
  • Can be used to investigate human behaviour that are rare
• Disadvantages of case studies

  • Difficult to generalise as usually done a specific group or individual lacking population validity
  • Necessary to use recollections of past events, could be unreliable due to social desirability bias lowering reliability
  • Researchers may lack objectivity