Today we will…

Recall what a case study is and some examples from cognitive psychology

Examine what is involved in compiling a case study

Discuss how a psychologist might select information for a case study

Consider how case studies may contribute to psychological research

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Case studies

Which case studies do you know? From cognitive psychology:

HM – anterograde amnesia following surgery to reduce epilepsy

KF – STM deficits following head injury Clive Wearing – retrograde & anterograde

amnesia following viral brain infection

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Case studies

In depth study of: An individual or small group A specific environment

Draws on a range of sources of data according to the purpose e.g.: Clinical psychology Educational psychology Sports psychology

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What’s in a case study?

Case history Description (& diagnosis) of

problem/issue Record of treatment/intervention Record of outcomes

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What’s in a case study?

Biographical information (e.g. interviews)

Observations Psychological test results Pre-existing records (e.g. school,

employment, medical) Reports from others

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Case studies

Strengths Rich, qualitative

data provides in-depth understanding (non-reductive)

Can track and describe change over time (not just a ‘snapshot’)

Weaknesses Heavy reliance on

retrospective & self-report data

Non-standardised methods may be difficult to replicate

Lack of generalisability

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org.

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Case studies and other research

Theory

Research Practice

•Generate new theoretical ideas

•Test out existing theories

•Develop new measuring instruments and research techniques

psyc

hlot

ron.

org.

uk