1. 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 psychlotron.org.uk

2. 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 psychlotron.org.uk

3. 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 psychlotron.org.uk

4. What’s in a case study? Case history Description (& diagnosis) of problem/issue Record of treatment/intervention Record of outcomes psychlotron.org.uk

5. 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 psychlotron.org.uk

6. 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 psychlotron.org.uk

7. Case studies and other research Theory ResearchPractice Generate new theoretical ideas Test out existing theories Develop new measuring instruments and research techniques psychlotron.org.uk