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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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Today we will…
Case studies
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Which case studies do you know?
From cognitive psychology:
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HM – anterograde amnesia following surgery to
reduce epilepsy
KF – STM deficits following head injury
Clive Wearing – retrograde & anterograde
amnesia following viral brain infection
psychlotron.org.uk
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Case studies
In depth study of:
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An individual or small group
A specific environment
Draws on a range of sources of data
according to the purpose e.g.:
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Clinical psychology
Educational psychology
Sports psychology
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What’s in a case study?
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Case history
Description (& diagnosis) of problem/issue
Record of treatment/intervention
Record of outcomes
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Biographical information (e.g. interviews)
Observations
Psychological test results
Pre-existing records (e.g. school,
employment, medical)
Reports from others
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What’s in a case study?
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Strengths
Rich, qualitative data
provides in-depth
understanding (nonreductive)
Can track and describe
change over time (not
just a ‘snapshot’)
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Weaknesses
Heavy reliance on
retrospective & selfreport data
Non-standardised
methods may be
difficult to replicate
Lack of generalisability
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Case studies
Case studies and other research
•Generate new
theoretical ideas
Theory
Practice
•Develop new
measuring
instruments and
research
techniques
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Research
•Test out existing
theories