Case study ( Research Method Summary & Practice

12 mark question)

Definition: An in-depth investigation on one person specifically and using them repeatedly as the
subject. Involves different research methods to get qualitative and quantitative data. Usually done
on subjects that are rare or unique.

Features - Add at least 5.

1. Observations
2. Experiments
3. Interviews
4. Done usually on one subject
5. Long term

Evaluate the Case Study method in terms of :

STRENGTH WEAKNESS
Generalisability Applicable to different demographics Precision is difficult to provide in results

Reliability ( Inter-rater Has consistency in finding which If the procedure is not standardized,
and test-retest) makes them more trust-worthy there can be variability leading to
unreliable data

Objectivity Provides trust-worthy and valid facts Doesn’t assess the extraneous variable
using quantitative data that can affect the results

Validity ( Internal and Can represent a target population Sample error will affect the validity of a
External) correctly case

Ethics. Protects participants from harm Can be manipulated or not followed by

physically and mentally psychologists

Using the following Case studies; Little Hans and Siffre have a go at answering the following 12 mark
essay below..

5. Evaluate the use of case studies in the investigation of human behaviour. You should refer to
research into sleep and dreaming in your response.
(12)

Siffre’s case study provided psychology with information that helps us understand human
behavior better. It showed us the different factors that can affect a person’s life and sleep despite
having the ‘essential’ to life like food, water and shelter. The bodily biological rhythms like the
sleep-wake cycle get affected by hormonal changes, which can be affected by physical factors
like light. Hormones such as melatonin help regulate the sleep-wake cycle with zeitgebers. When
these are changed and affected that can affect the entire sleep cycle which ultimately affects the
ultradian rhythms such as body temperature and appetite. Siffre’s case study shows that human
behavior can still be negatively affected even when you have the life essentials because when the
way your body function is impacted by external cues such as light, the human behavior and
mental health all together can change. It also helps us understand why current-world situations
like jet-lag and night shifts can affect your behavior and ultimately your health. Freud’s Little Hans
Study provided psychology with information that helps us understand human behavior better.
Freud’s way of learning from dreams helped to understand human behavior better using his
procedure of gathering and analyzing the detailed reports that were provided by Little Hans’
father, provided a lot of valid and qualitative data that showed that sometimes dreams can have
an underlying meaning that’s connected to reality. His method of consulting his patient with written
therapy sessions has impacted the current world significantly as it helps many others understand
their own behaviors and how to help aid their mental health.