Psychology
Research Methods of Psychology
Psychological Research is conducted to obtain factual information about human behavior and mental processes to find out the underlying cause and effect relationship. Here we will discuss two out of five methods of conducting Psychological Research named:
1. Case History Method
2. Survey Method
1. CASE HISTORY/ CASE STUDY/ CLINICAL METHOD
Definition:
A case study is an in-depth study of one person. Much of Freud 's work and theories were developed through individual case studies.
Explanation:
It is sometimes very helpful to study one person (or a very small group of people) in great depth to learn as much information as possible. This method is particularly useful in studying rare disorders or circumstances.
Examples:
A. Studying the life history of a man who acquired schizophrenia at the age of 20.
B. Following one child from conception to adulthood to examine this lifespan development.
Types of Case Studies:
Explanatory: Used to do causal investigations.
Exploratory: A case study that is sometimes used as a prelude to further, more in-depth research. This allows researchers to gather more information before developing their research questions and hypotheses.
Descriptive: Involves starting with a descriptive theory. The subjects are then observed and the information gathered is compared to the pre-existing theory.
Intrinsic: A type of case study in which the researcher has a personal interest in the case.
Collective: Involves studying a group of individuals.
Instrumental: Occurs when the individual or group allows researchers to understand more than what is initially obvious to observers
Methods of Case Study:
There are three methods of Case Study:
I Case History Method
II Day Book Method
III Biographical Method
I. Case History Method:
Other Names: Clinical Method
Case History is the detailed account of a single individual. This method is often used in Psychotherapy. That’s why it is called clinical
Psychological Research is conducted to obtain factual information about human behavior and mental processes to find out the underlying cause and effect relationship. Here we will discuss two out of five methods of conducting Psychological Research named:
1. Case History Method
2. Survey Method
1. CASE HISTORY/ CASE STUDY/ CLINICAL METHOD
Definition:
A case study is an in-depth study of one person. Much of Freud 's work and theories were developed through individual case studies.
Explanation:
It is sometimes very helpful to study one person (or a very small group of people) in great depth to learn as much information as possible. This method is particularly useful in studying rare disorders or circumstances.
Examples:
A. Studying the life history of a man who acquired schizophrenia at the age of 20.
B. Following one child from conception to adulthood to examine this lifespan development.
Types of Case Studies:
Explanatory: Used to do causal investigations.
Exploratory: A case study that is sometimes used as a prelude to further, more in-depth research. This allows researchers to gather more information before developing their research questions and hypotheses.
Descriptive: Involves starting with a descriptive theory. The subjects are then observed and the information gathered is compared to the pre-existing theory.
Intrinsic: A type of case study in which the researcher has a personal interest in the case.
Collective: Involves studying a group of individuals.
Instrumental: Occurs when the individual or group allows researchers to understand more than what is initially obvious to observers
Methods of Case Study:
There are three methods of Case Study:
I Case History Method
II Day Book Method
III Biographical Method
I. Case History Method:
Other Names: Clinical Method
Case History is the detailed account of a single individual. This method is often used in Psychotherapy. That’s why it is called clinical
References: 1. http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/psych101/researchmethods/section3.rhtml 2. http://psychology.about.com/od/cindex/g/casestudy.htm 3. http://faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/researchmethods.html 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_study_in_psychology 5. Processes of Psychology and Applied Psychology by Prof. Zarin Bkhari.