Case Studies handout

What is a case study?

• An in-depth investigation of something

• A short summary of an event

• A type of experiment with many participants

• A mathematical calculation

Which type of data do case studies most commonly collect?

• Quantitative data

• Qualitative data

• Numerical data only

• Statistical data only

What is a key feature of a longitudinal case study?

• It is always completed in one day

• It takes place over a long period of time

• It only uses surveys

• It never involves interviews

Which of the following is a strength of case studies?

• They always use large groups of people

• They are the best way to study unusual forms of behaviour

• They never produce unexpected results

• They are always objective

Why is it often difficult to generalise the results of a case study?

• Case studies use only numerical data

• Case studies often concern unique people or events

• Case studies always use experiments

• Case studies are always conducted in laboratories

What is one weakness of case studies?

• They are always too short

• They are subjective and conclusions may depend on the researcher's interpretation

• They always use outdated information

• They never use interviews

How can case studies provide special insights not gained from questionnaires?

• By using only numerical data

• By focusing on the experiences of a single person in depth

• By avoiding interviews

• By using only group data

Which of the following best describes a qualitative method in case studies?

• Collecting numerical scores

• Expressing people's experiences in words

• Using only laboratory experiments

• Avoiding interviews

Why might researchers choose a longitudinal case study?

• To see how behaviour changes over time

• To avoid collecting any data

• To focus only on one moment

• To use only questionnaires

What challenge to validity is mentioned as a weakness of case studies?

• They always use the same conclusion

• Different researchers may interpret the same case differently

• They never use real-life examples

• They always use large samples