Question 1: Define a case study and explain how it differs from other research methods like experiments or surveys.

Answer: A case study is an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event over a period of time. Unlike experiments or surveys, it provides detailed qualitative data but may lack generalisability.

Question 2: Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using case studies in psychological research.

Answer: Advantage: Provides detailed and rich data about rare or unique phenomena. Disadvantage: Findings may not be generalisable to the wider population.

Question 3: Imagine a psychologist is studying a person who has experienced a rare psychological disorder. Outline two ethical considerations they must take into account when conducting a case study.

Answer: They must ensure informed consent is obtained and maintain the confidentiality of the participant's personal information.

Question 4: Explain why case studies are often used in clinical psychology.

Answer: Because they allow psychologists to gain detailed insights into complex psychological conditions that are difficult to study using other methods.

Question 5: Identify and explain one limitation of relying solely on case studies for psychological research.

Answer: One limitation is that findings from a single case may not apply to others, limiting the ability to generalise results.

Question 6: Describe a scenario where a case study might provide valuable insights that other methods could not.

Answer: Studying an individual with a unique brain injury to understand how specific areas affect behaviour, which would be difficult to replicate in experiments.

Question 7: Sketch a diagram that illustrates the process of conducting a case study, including steps such as initial investigation, data collection, and analysis.

Answer: A flowchart with steps: 1. Initial investigation, 2. Data collection (interviews, observations, records), 3. Data analysis, 4. Conclusions and reporting.

Question 8: Identify a famous case study in psychology and briefly describe its significance.

Answer: The case of Phineas Gage, whose injury to the frontal lobe helped researchers understand the brain's role in personality and decision-making.

Question 9: What types of data are typically collected in a case study? Provide at least two examples.

Answer: Qualitative data such as interview transcripts and observational notes; and quantitative data such as test scores or psychological assessments.

Question 10: Discuss how researcher bias could affect the findings of a case study and suggest one way to minimise this bias.

Answer: Researcher bias can influence data collection and interpretation, potentially skewing results. To minimise bias, researchers should use multiple data sources and blind analysis where possible.