PSYCHOLOGY

Strengths: There are some circumstances where it is impossible to have a larger number of particpants, making case studies deal. 

They usually generate a large amount of detail and rich qualitative data, which can give a very full picture of the situation under the scrutiny. 

They are ecologically valid because the particpant may well be studied as part of his of her everyday life. 

Weaknesses: Case studies rarely produce enough quantatative data for stastical testing, this means that some people regard case studies more as anecdotal evidence. 

Case studies sometimes involve quite an intense realtionship between the researcher and the particpant, they may lack objectivity because the researcher becomes too involved and alters the natural course of the particpants events and experiences. 

Case studeies consist of only one particpant or a small number of particpants which means that the results are not usually representative so not generalisable. 

Strengths: a quick way to develop data especially if long term development over time is irrelevant - Dement and Kleitman. 

can be conducted as a preliminary data for longitudinal data, it notices the patterns and trends in the data. 

the data is likely to be quantative - Baron cohen, loftus and palmer. 

Weaknesses: Cannot see developments over time 

Behaviour is limited to that one time place and culture - Pilliavin

Quantative data does not actually provide explantations of behaviour - Loftus and Palmer, Baron - Cohen. 

sperry, bandura, griffths, samuel and bryant