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What Is a Case Study

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What is A Case Study?
Kerry J. Cobb
Liberty University
PSYCH 255 Introduction to Research
255-D15 LUO
Prof. Erik Wiedman
April 16, 2014

Introduction to Case Study
In this paper, we will discuss what a case study is, reasons for performing case studies and the advantages and disadvantages in using a case study. Many case studies use observational methods classified as primarily quantitative or qualitative. Qualitative focuses on people’s behavior in their natural setting, where as quantitative focuses on behaviors that are counted.
What is a Case Study?
A case study is the way we describe a specific study of concern in individuals whether it’s their behavior, past history, symptoms, responses and reactions to treatment or any other factor that is relevant to the study. Though some case studies normally include individuals, they also can be in places such as “a business, school or neighborhood” (Ch.6, Pg.121). Case studies can also be performed over the telephone or in library research involving no direct contact in the visual observation of an individual.
What are some reasons for using a case study approach?
A case study typically is performed on individuals with rare and unusual conditions. This in-depth study is particularly useful when we need to obtain an in-depth appreciation of an issue, event or phenomenon of interest. The study can be in its natural setting or in a real life context. The main purpose is to obtain a great deal of information about important qualitative and quantitative observational methods in questioning behaviors.
What are advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
In case studies, there are many advantages. One for example, is that the study can be a way to explore and create new knowledge, solve some of the problems and even test a hypothesis with empirical evidence. The case study can also be how way the

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