Sociology-Research Methods-Case and Longitudinal Studies

Case Studies

A detailed examination of a single case

E.g in a workplace, school or family

Strengths of Case Studies

+Detailed insight into a particular group

+Gives qualitative dimension to quantitative research

E.g Townshend included case study of families in survey of poverty

+Can use to suggest a hypothesis in early research-may give idea to test on larger groups

Limitation of Case Studies

-Cannot make generalisations-small scale

-Not representative

-Cannot garuntee truth-lacks validity

Longitudinal Studies

A study that follows the same sample for long periods of time

Strengths of longitudinal studies

+Trace developments over a long period of time rather than a ‘snapshot’

+Allows detailed picture to be built

+Comparisons between groups over time

E.g Durkheims study of suicide

Limitations of Longitudinal Studies

-Problems keeping track of sample

-People who drop out may not be typical of people who stay in, can effect representativeness

-Demographic changes may mean the sample is no longer representative

-Large amounts of data produced-difficult to analyse

-Cost

Life Histories

Used in case studies of individuals-collect and record life experiences

Rich source of insight

Collected through semi or unstructured interview-or individual can write down experience

However they do require empathy with the subject and good listening skills

Triangulation

Combine different research methods-can complement eachother

E.g can use questionares for quantitative data but may carry out unstructured interviews to look at some case studies.

Use as conclusions for methods in context questions

Case Study Example

Willis-Lads counter culture-studied 12 lads in birmingham

Studied anti school subculture

Took on role as a canteen worker-observed interactions

Used group interviews and Observation-gained insight into motivations

Validity and Verstehen

Very small scale-attached-rapport

Time consuming

Longitudinal Study Example

Sharpe-Women's ambitions over long period of time

Longitudinal but didn’t use same sample but same study replicated and same methods

1970s-family and marriage

1990s-career

7 up study-same group studied every 7 years-study there perceptions-may move or become unable to contact