Rutgers General Psychology Exam 1 Practice

A case study is a comprehensive method used to explore and analyze a particular individual, group, or phenomenon in depth. This approach provides rich, qualitative insights that allow researchers to understand complex issues, behaviors, or conditions in their real-life context. By focusing on a single subject or a small group, a case study can uncover unique patterns, motivations, and outcomes that might not be evident through broader quantitative methods.

This detailed exploration enables the identification of specific variables and relationships that may contribute to the understanding of psychological phenomena. The findings from case studies can inform theories and practices within psychology, offering valuable perspectives that can guide further research or therapeutic approaches.

In contrast, broader quantitative studies typically aim to generalize findings across large populations, surveys focus on assessing public opinion usually with limited depth, and experimental designs are structured to isolate variables in controlled settings to determine cause-and-effect relationships. The distinctive characteristic of a case study lies in its in-depth focus, making it a key research tool in psychology and other fields.