CASE STUDY
A case study is a comprehensive study of a social unit of society, which may be a person,
family group, institution, community, or event. A case study focuses attention on a single unit
thoroughly. The aim is to find out the influencing factors of a social unit and the relationship
between these factors and a social unit.
Case study in psychology refers to the use of a descriptive research approach to obtain an
in-depth analysis of a person, group, or phenomenon. A variety of techniques may be employed
including personal interviews, direct-observation, psychometric tests, and archival records. The
Psychology case studies are mostly used in clinical research.
DEFINITIONS OF CASE STUDY
⚫ According to P.V. Young “Case study is a comprehensive study of a social unit, be it a person,
a group of persons, an institution, a community, or a family”.
⚫ Groode and Hatt defined “It is a method of exploring and analyzing the life of a social unit”.
⚫ According to [Link] “Case study depends our perception and gives clear insight into life
directory”.
⚫ Johoda defined “Case study is a small inclusive and intensive study of an individual in which
investigators brings to bear their skills and method”.
STAGES IN A CASE STUDY
⚫ Choice of a case or selection of a problem
⚫ Description of events.
⚫ Factors influencing study.
⚫ Data processing.
⚫ Data recording.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CASE STUDY
⚫ The number of units to be studied is small.
⚫ It studies a social unit deeply and thoroughly.
⚫ It is qualitative as well as quantitative.
⚫ It covers sufficient wide cycle of time
⚫ It has continuity in nature.
TYPES OF CASE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY
1. Explanatory Case Studies
This form of case study involves investigations following a precise cause. They explain why
something happens in a particular way.
2. Exploratory Case Studies
This type entails carrying out extensive research. It allows researchers to gather detailed
information before constructing hypothesis and question towards the distinct topic of study
3. Descriptive Case Studies
This form focuses on a pre-existing theory about a phenomenon or behaviour. Researchers
carry out case studies to determine the relationship between gathered information and facts
in the existing information.
4. Intrinsic Case Studies
This type of case study is a certain attribute of interest to the researcher. The researcher is
well known about the cause of the problem in existence and seeks to gather more
information about the cause and its effects.
5. Collective studies:
This type of study involves more than one person. A community may be facing a common
problem and hence may researchers want to study the whole sample. It determines a mark
trait or behavior typical among members of that community.
SOURCES OF DATA FOR CASE STUDY
⚫ Personal documents, viz diaries, memories, autobiographies, letters etc. of the researcher.
⚫ Qualification and interest of the researcher.
⚫ Life history of the respondents.
⚫ Motives and objectives of the study.
ADVANTAGES
⚫ The most important advantage of using a case study is that it simplifies complex concepts.
⚫ Case studies expose the participants to real life situations which otherwise is difficult. It truly
helps in adding value to the participants through discussion on concrete subjects.
⚫ It improves analytical thinking, communication, developing tolerance for different views on
the same subject, ability to defend one’s own point of view with logic and enhances team work
of the participants making them efficient overtime.
⚫ The many solutions which come out of the case act as ready reference when participants face
similar problems at work place.
DISADVANTAGES
⚫ It might be difficult to find an appropriate to suit to all subjects.
⚫ Case studies contain the study of observation and perception of one person. There are chances
that the person presenting the case study may completely present it in one manner missing the
other aspects completely.
⚫ Managing time is a criterion in a training program. Case studies generally consume more time
when compared to other instruments. For shorter durations, case studies may not be the best
medium.
⚫ Since there is no one right answer, the problem arises in validation of solutions because there
more than one way to look at things.
⚫ It is best studied for advanced training programs when compared to basic level training
programs and a certain level of maturity of participants is required as they have to participate
in case discussion.
