INTRODUCTION TO CASE STUDY

A case study is an in-depth study of the individual in terms of his/her

psychological attributes, psychological history in the context of his/her psycho-social and physical
environment. Case studies are analyses of persons, events, decisions, periods, projects, policies,
institutions, or other systems that are studied holistically by one or more method. The case that is
the subject of the inquiry will be an instance of a class of phenomena that provides an analytical
frame 4 an object 4 within which the study is conducted and which the case illuminates and
explicates.
Case studies are widely used by clinical psychologists, case analyses of the lives
of great people can also be highly illuminating for those willing to learn from their life
experiences.
The case study method often involves simply observing what happens to, or reconstructing the
case history of a single participant or group of individuals (such as a school class or a specific
social group), i.e. the idiographic approach. Case studies allow a researcher to investigate a topic
in far more detail than might be possible if they were trying to deal with a large number of
research participants (nomothetic approach) with the aim of averaging.

The case study is not itself a research method, but researchers select methods of data collection
and analysis that will generate material suitable for case studies such as qualitative techniques
(unstructured interviews, participant observation, diaries), personal notes (e.g. letters,
photographs, notes) or official document (e.g. case notes, clinical notes, appraisal reports).

The data collected can be analysed using different theories (e.g. grounded theory, interpretative
phenomenological analysis, text interpretation (e.g. thematic coding) etc. All the approaches
mentioned here use preconceived categories in the analysis and they are ideographic in their
approach, i.e. they focus on the individual case without reference to a comparison group.

Case studies are widely used in psychology and amongst the best known were the ones carried out
by Sigmund Freud. He conducted very detailed investigations into the private lives of his patients
in an attempt to both understand and help them overcome their illnesses.

The main characteristics of the case study

1. A descriptive study
a. The data collected constitute descriptions of psychological processes and events, and of the
contexts in which they occurred (qualitative data).
b. The main emphasis is always on the construction of verbal descriptions of behaviour or
experience, but quantitative data may be collected.
c. High levels of detail are provided.

2. Narrowly focused.
a. Typically a case study offers a description of only a single individual, and sometimes about
groups.
b. Often the case study focuses on a limited aspect of a person, such as their psychopathological
symptoms.

3. Combines objective and subjective data

a. i.e. the researcher may combine objective and subjective data: All are regarded as valid data for
analysis, and as a basis for inferences within the case study.
i. The objective description of behaviour and its context
ii. Details of the subjective aspect, such as feelings, beliefs, impressions or interpretations. In fact,
a case study is uniquely able to offer a means of achieving an in-depth understanding of the
behaviour and experience of a single individual.

4. Process-oriented.
a. The case study method enables the researcher to explore and describe the nature of processes,
which occur over time.
b. In contrast to the experimental method, which basically provides a stilled snapshot of processes,
which may be continuing over time like for example the development of language in children over
time.

Strengths of Case Studies

• Provides detailed (rich qualitative) information.
• Provides insight for further research.
• Permitting investigation of otherwise impractical (or unethical) situations.
Case studies give psychological researchers the possibility to investigate cases, which could not
possibly be engineered in research laboratories. For example, the Money Case Study. Case studies
are often used in exploratory research. They can help us generate new ideas (that might be tested
by other methods). They are an important way of illustrating theories and can help show how
different aspects of a person's life are related to each other. The method is therefore important for
psychologists who adopt a holistic point of view (i.e. humanistic psychologists).

Limitations of Case Studies

• Can’t generalize the results to the wider population.
• Researchers own subjective feeling may influence the case study (researcher bias).
• Difficult to replicate.
• Time consuming.
Because a case study deals with only one person/event/group we can never be sure whether
conclusions drawn from this particular case apply elsewhere. The results of the study are not
generalizable because we can never know whether the case we have investigated is representative
of the wider body of "similar" instances

Because they are based on the analysis of qualitative (i.e. descriptive) data a lot depends on the
interpretation the psychologist places on the information she has acquired. This means that there is
a lot of scope for observer bias and it could be that the subjective opinions of the psychologist
intrude in the assessment of what the data means.

Types of case study

‫ ٭‬On the basis of number of individuals:

• Person/individual: The study of one single individual, generally using several different research
methods. Since there is only one individual, it emphasizes analysis in depth. Such individual case
study is a time-honoured procedure in the field of medicine and medical researchers.
• Group/Community: The study of a single distinctive set of people, such as a family or small
group of friends. Such a case study is a thorough observation and analysis of a group of people
who are living together in a particular geographical territory. It tries to deal with various elements
of the community life such as economic activity, climatic and natural resources, historical
development, social life values, health and education etc.

On the basis of purpose:

• Deviant Case analysis: The researchers starts with difference already found between two people
or groups and his/her task is to read backwards, to deduce the condition that might have produced
the differences.
• Isolated Clinical Case Analysis: Related to individual units with respect to some analytical
problems, such studies have become popular in psychoanalysis.

Methods used in Case study

• Observation of behaviour, characteristics and social qualities of the unit by the researcher
• Use of questionnaires, opinions, inventories, checklists and other psychological tests
• Analysis of recorded data from schools, clinics, courts, newspapers and similar sources
• Interviewing the subject`s friends, relatives and significant others.
• Participant observation: Involves the researcher actually serving as a participant in events and
observing the actions and outcomes.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES USED

Observation: The observational method is a non-experimental and qualitative research method
in which the behaviour of the subject under research is observed
• Experimental method: a system of scientific investigation, usually based on a design to be
carried out under controlled conditions, that is intended to test a hypothesis and establish a causal
relationship between independent and dependent variables.
• Psychological Testing: assess the various characteristics of humans such as attitude,
aptitude, personality, intelligence quotient, and emotional quotient.
• Survey: The process of conducting research using surveys that researchers send to survey
respondents
• Case study: In the case study method, the researcher does qualitative research and in-depth
analysis of a specific case (subject under investigation)
• Correlation: examine the relationship between the two variables.

Method Advantages Disadvantages

•good source of hypotheses
• individual may not be representative or
• provides in-depth information
typical
• done on individuals
Case • difficult to know which subjective
• “Experiments of nature” shed
Study/History  interpretation is
light on situations/problems that are
best
unethical or impractical to study in
 
other ways
• allows research little or no control of the
• allows description of behaviour as
Naturalistic situation
it occurs in the natural environment
Observation •observations may be biased
• often useful in first stages of
  • does not allow firm conclusions on cause
research program
and effect
• yield information on personality
Psychological • difficult to construct tests that are valid or
traits, emotional states, aptitudes,
Tests reliable
abilities

CASE PROFILE
Objective of a case study
The case study is a research method involving an up-close, in-depth, and detailed examination of a
subject of study, as well as its related contextual conditions. It involves assessment of individual`s
psychological, physical, social, and emotional dimensions with the help of specific psychological
tools and techniques.

My subject is a 16-year-old girl studying in grade 11 at TIAD. Subjects Behaviour, self-concept,

Problems & challenges will be studied in detail in the case study.

Methods used in current case study

• Interview
• Observation
• Psychological testing
 IDENTIFICATION OF DATA

Socio demographic data

•Name : Amina Asif
• Age : 16
• Date of birth :20/09/2006
• Place of birth : Pune, India
• Gender : Female
• Height :157 cm
• Weight : 47kg
• Religion : Muslim
• Educational Qualification : 11
• Institute associated with : TIAD, Dubai.
• Place of education : Dubai.
•Economic Status : Middle class.

Family History

Business

• Family arrangement: Amina belongs to a nuclear family. She is staying with her parents and
siblings. According to her, she is having a strong relationship with her siblings. Especially she is
close with her elder sibling. Currently she is outside the country for education purpose. Father and
mother are well educated. Both have equal power in the family. Family together takes decisions.

• Family details
 • Name of the father : Asif Asharaf
• Age : 42 years
• Qualification : BBA
• Occupation : Business

• Name of the mother: Rahmath

• Age : 35 years
• Qualification : BSc, B. Ed
• Occupation : Teacher

Medical History

No suggestive history of major physical or mental illness were reported in the family.

Habits Interests and Talents

My subject Amina is interested in painting and drawings. She is a good singer too. Her hobbies
are singing, dancing, gardening and drawing. She has an immense talent in interior decorations
and designing. She is a winner of various drawing and painting competitions. She is an average
student in academics. She like to spend her leisure time in various artistic activities.

INTERVIEW
 Interview with the subject

How are you feeling at this moment?

I'm feeling good at this moment
Tell me about yourself.
My name is Amina and currently I'm in 11th grade I'm 16 years old

What do your friends say about you?

My friends say that I am loving caring and passionate.

What are your strengths?

My strengths are patience and communication skills.

What are your areas of improvement?

My areas of improvement are the inability of saying no to anyone
What do you like about yourself?
Some things I like about myself are dedication and a positive attitude
Do you have someone you can share your difficulties with?
Yes, I have someone I can share my difficulties with.
Do you feel/think your home is a comfortable space to be in?
Yes, my home is a comfortable space to be in
Do you agree with the core beliefs of your family members? What are these and are there any
areas where your hold different opinions? Elaborate upon these.
Yes I agree with the core beliefs and no I don't have different opinions
What motivates you?
My family and friends, and the urge to become something better in life motivates me

 Interview with the Mother

How are you feeling at this moment?

Well. I am happy at this moment.

How much time do you spend in interacting with your child?

As I am a teacher, I’ll be having works at home. Still I tries to communicate with my children. I can’t
tell an average time, but we used to interact.
What are the things that you want to improve in your child?
In my opinion she must concentrate a little bit more in studies. So, study behaviour.

What are the things that you like about your child?
She is well behaved, have good communication skills. Even in my absence she can take care of
herself and others in the family.

Does she have frequent change in behaviour or mood swings?

No. Her mood changes according to the situations only.

Does she share her problems and opinions with you?

Yes. But more than me she used to share things with her sister.

What are the behavioural qualities in your child which make you proud of her?
She is very loving caring and passionate. She respects elders. All these qualities makes me proud of
her.

Which career option is the ideal one for your child and why?
Her aptitude leads to artistic side. Based on that she might choose interior designing or architecture
jobs. But I really want her to be in a good job which pays her more.

Subject`s relation with his mother

In my observation, she has a good relationship with her mother. Still I feel some gap in their
communication.
  Interview with Sibling

How are you feeling at this moment?

Good.
How much time do you spend in interacting with your sister?
We used to talk a lot. Now I am studying in India. Still, we used to chat a lot. I always tries to be
with her whenever she needs me.
Do you stay in the same room? Are you comfortable with this arrangement?
We have individual rooms, Still when I am here for vacations, we used to stay in the same room.
And I am comfortable with that.
What are the things that you like about your sister?
She is very loving person. Interactive and caring.
Does she have frequent change in behaviour or mood swings?
No. She is a consistent person.

Do you spend time with your sister`s friends?

When I was her, I used to accompany her with outing with her friends on here demand. I know all of
them. But now I don’t spend much time with them.
What are your siblings’ strengths and weaknesses?
She is a good artist. That is her best strength. Weakness- I think she can’t say no to others, people
used to exploit her for this reason.
Any advice which you think you think you can /would like to offer to your sibling?
Learn to say No.

Subject`s relation with his sibling.

The subject and her siblings are very close with each other. More than sisters they seem to be best
friends.

Summary of the Interview.

 My subject appears to be a loving and friendly person.

 She has various interests like painting, drawing and music.
 She is very interactive and have a close friends circle.
 She has average intelligence and average in academics.
 According to her parents, she is well behaved with good communication skills.
 She must work on assertiveness.
 Though the subject and family members aware about her talents, subjects has some
restrictions in choosing her interested fields.
 Overall, she has cordial relationship with her parents and siblings.
 OBSERVATION
OBSERVATION PROCESS
My subject was observed in her home environment, classroom and in friends’ group. I was a part
of it in both situations. Hence, I used a naturalistic observation method and a participant
observation method. I know this family personally. So, I believe the responses are not biased with
observer effect.

OBSERVATION REPORT
 Subject found to be very interactive and friendly person. She keeps the friend’s
group lively.
 She was talking comfortably to the people around her.
 She remains to be calm most of the time.
 She used to be very helpful to others without considering her needs.
 She is very affectionate with her siblings.
 She is an artist and seems to be perfectionist.
 She is average in academics.

Psychological Tests conducted on the subject.

• Sinha`s Comprehensive Anxiety test

My subject scored a total of 69 in Sinha`s Comprehensive Anxiety test, her scores relate to 95 to
99 percentiles on the scoring table of the SCAT scoring manual. This indicates extremely anxiety
in the subject.

• SelfConcept Questionnaire
My subject got a score of 33 in the physical dimension which means he has high self-concept of
his own body, health and physical appearance and strength. In social dimension my subject got 32
which means he has above average self-concept about his interpersonal skills and social
interactions. In temperamental dimension, he got a score of 32 which corresponds to above
average self-concept about his emotional state and reactions. She got 31 score in educational
dimension which shows that he has high self-concept in relation to school, teachers and extra-
curricular activities. My subject got a score of 35 in moral dimension which means he has high
self-concept in his moral worth. In intellectual dimension, he scored 39 which corresponds to high
self-concept in awareness about his intelligence and capacity to solve problems.
My subject has a score of 195 in total self-concept which means she has high self-concept

• Adjustment Inventory for School Students

My subject scored 8, 6, and 2 in Emotional, social, and educational dimensions respectively in AISS.
Which indicates that the subject has unsatisfactory adjustment in emotional dimension, average adjustment
in social and excellent adjustment on educational dimension. The total score of 16 indicates that my subject
has overall average adjustment.

• Sentence Completion Test (Projective Test)

The subject scored 40 on sentence completion test. Which indicates that, generally she has a
positive outlook on life and that she views life optimistically.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

I conducted my Case profile on Amina Asif 16-years-old girl from TIAD. It was a wonderful
experience and taught me a great deal in terms of knowing the subject and applying the techniques
of assessment learned in psychology class. I conducted the following tests on him:
• Sinha`s Comprehensive Anxiety test
• Self Concept Questionnaire
• Adjustment Inventory for School Students
• Sentence Completion Test.

Assessment was done on the basis of behavioural observation, psychometric testing based on self-
report, interview with the subject and significant others from his life.

My subject percentile 95-99 in SCAT which indicates Extremely high Anxiety Level.
My subject score 16 in AISS which indicates average adjustment.
My subject score 195 in SCQ which indicates high self-concept.

The test results support the observational and interview reports. Overall, my subject found to be an
organized person with High self- concept, and average adjustment. Amina exhibits extremely high
anxiety. No evidence could find out for the anxiety level from Interview and observational reports.
As the score belongs to extremely high anxiety level, subject would strongly recommended to take
professional support. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most effective type of
psychotherapy for anxiety.

Subject’s condition can be cured with CBT, in which the subject gradually work up to facing the
situations she fears most. This can improve her coping skills and help her to develop the
confidence to deal with anxiety-inducing situations. Other relaxation techniques will also help her
in improving her condition.
Bibliography

 NCERT Class XII Psychology Book

 NCERT Class XI Psychology book
 http://www.simplypsychology.org/case-study.html
 SCQ manual
 SCAT Manual
 AISS Manual