A-LevelPsychologyResearch methods9990/21 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q76 Marks

Bruce is planning a case study of a famous woman known worldwide for her helpfulness.

(a)Explain one strength of the case study research method.[2]
(b)Explain two weaknesses of the case study research method, using Bruce's study as an example.[4]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1 mark for identifying a strength
1 mark for detail (can be linked)
One person is generally chosen for some special characteristic; (ID) e.g. a rare condition so something can be investigated that it would be impossible to study otherwise; (detail)
Can study in depth/detail; (ID) detailed data means that complex issues can be explored (providing a much richer understanding) / which is better than just recording a single DV in an experiment; (detail)
1 mark for weakness }
1 mark for link } x2
Bruce may interpret her comments differently than another researcher/may interpret subjectively; (weakness)
Bruce's personal viewpoint, is that she is exceptionally helpful, so will interpret data this way; (weakness + link)
The woman Bruce is studying is exceptionally helpful, so his findings won't apply to normal helping; (link) So low generalisability; (weakness: 2nd mark only)
Bruce believes she is helpful, so will interpret his results that way; (weakness + link) So low reliability; (weakness: 2nd mark only)
Difficult to keep confidentiality (if case is rare); (weakness) She will be hard to disguise as famous; (link)
Risk of invading privacy as study is in-depth / due to familiarity with researcher; (weakness) As she is famous the researcher may already know things about her so the questions may be too personal; (link) As she is famous there may be rumours about her so she may be embarrassed by questions; (link)
Case studies are overt so she may be affected by social desirability; (weakness) And pretend to be even more helpful to look good to Bruce; (link)
She is only one person (not representative of the population) so low generalisability; (weakness without link)
Case studies are hard to replicate; (weakness without link)
Low generalisability/validity/reliability/objectivity = 0 [if only term]