Currently, in various fields of psychology, psychotherapy, and psychiatry, the method of case analysis and description is widely used. The use of the method of studying specific cases (case study method) has long-standing traditions in psychology. Indeed, it is one of the earliest methods: Jean Itard's first report on the “L’Enfant sauvage” (“The Wild Child”) dates back to 1801. Case studies have been used as a method of collecting and analyzing information since the beginning of the 19th century. More ancient analogs of the method, on which it was developed and improved, included data collection techniques such as studying diaries, biographies, and participant observation. These methods served as the foundation for research conducted within disciplines such as sociology, political science, and psychology.
Creating a description of a specific case study involves collecting detailed information about an individual or group. Usually, this information includes comprehensive biographical data, as well as interesting features of behavior and personal experience. Studying a specific case allows for a much deeper understanding of the individual than can be achieved through experiments.
These methods are often criticized for being insufficiently "scientific" and are therefore considered less valuable than more rigorous experimental methods that utilize statistical analysis. Another noted drawback pointed out by critics is that sometimes the researcher studying a specific case may interpret or describe observed events biasedly. Such subjectivity means that it can often be difficult to distinguish factual information from the researcher's assumptions. However, this in itself does not diminish the significance of the studied cases.
David G. Bromley argued that case studies form the "foundation of scientific research" in psychology and that psychologists' interest in experimental procedures has contributed to a decreased focus on this area. Case studies have the advantage of providing a deeper understanding of the individual, recognizing and emphasizing human diversity. The uniqueness and unusualness of individuals who become subjects of special studies give them invaluable significance in our efforts to understand the human psyche—and, consequently, ourselves. Perhaps this is the most important point. The fact that another psychologist cannot replicate a particular case study does not make that study unreliable.
The “case study” method is the study of specific situations; it is a multiplicative research method (i.e., a combination of several techniques) used to investigate a particular, specific situation (problem) with the aim of further extrapolating the obtained knowledge to a broader range of issues.
Researchers have concluded that studying specific situations is a more reliable source of information for formulating and confirming or refuting a scientific hypothesis than survey methods of data collection. Information obtained through surveys consists of respondents' opinions and assessments of a particular event or situation, and therefore, it is always necessary to consider the potential distortion of information related to the characteristics of how it is perceived and interpreted by respondents.
The following main advantages of the “case study” method are highlighted:
- this method allows for tracing causal relationships, the dynamics of changes, and the impact of decisions made on the overall situation;
- it involves multifaceted examination of the situation, thereby providing the opportunity to investigate it from different perspectives and to give a more objective assessment;
- it enables studying not only the situation itself but also the environment in which it occurred;
- it involves a more in-depth analysis of the situation.
The literature presents various types of case studies. For example, L. Stenhaus distinguishes evaluative (focused on assessing effectiveness), educational, and ethnographic case studies.
R. Ygen proposes his own classification, which includes such types as analytical (explanatory) and descriptive case studies. The descriptive strategy focuses on answering the question “How?”, and its task is to provide a detailed description of a social phenomenon or institution. In turn, the explanatory strategy aims to find the answer to the question “Why?”, to identify causes and factors influencing the situation. In this case, the case study not only helps clarify facts and organize a multitude of details but also contributes to the formulation of theory.
- Case study is a research strategy for studying a unique object.
- Case study is an empirical investigation that examines a social phenomenon in its real-life context, utilizing multiple sources of information.
Social phenomenon is a case. It is studied in its real-world context under natural conditions, in the actual chronology of events.
Sources of information for a case study include: quantitative and qualitative methods (observation, interviews, document analysis, structured questionnaires, standardized tests).
Types of case studies.
- By research purpose:
- explanatory (goal: develop a theory that explains the specific case, examine the cause);
- descriptive (goal: comprehensively describe the case);
- exploratory (goal: study a previously unknown phenomenon).
- By the nature of the case itself:
- individual (a case — an individual person, studying their social experience, attitudes);
- communities or multiple communities (studying social connections: politics, work, leisure, family);
- organization or social institution (e.g., labor relations);
- event or specific social relationships (teacher—student, crime, natural disaster).
- By the number of cases studied:
- single (one case);
- multiple (several cases studied simultaneously).
The aim of the research in the Master's program “Tutor Support in Inclusive Education” is to study the process of developing a new socially-oriented activity — tutor support for children with special educational needs.
Research Conduct Plan
- Identification of research questions:
- diagnosing the child's special educational needs, interests, learning difficulties, and behavioral challenges;
- methods and techniques of tutor support for children with special educational needs;
- the focus and ways of adapting the educational environment;
- recording the results of tutor activities;
- organizing interaction with specialists, parents, teachers, and other children.
- Development of a conceptual framework — defining the goal of tutor support: motivation, skill formation, correction of educational behavior, etc. (described as the object and subject of the study).
- Formulation of hypotheses.
- Determination of data collection methods:
- analysis of documentation related to the child (Psychological-Medical-Pedagogical Commission (PMPC) conclusion, diagnostic data from teachers and specialists);
- conversations with parents;
- observation;
- conversations with the child.
- Description of the tutor support strategy through outlining its goals, objectives, and stages of activity.
- Analysis and discussion of results.
Based on the diagnostic methods used, demonstrate the dynamics of changes resulting from the application of the tutor support strategy.
If known methods were used, relate them to previously published results in discussions.