1. Longitudinal Studies and Case Studies
Longitudinal Studies and Case Studies are in fact very different things, and
the most important thing is not to get the two mixed up!
A Longitudinal Study is a study which is usually carried out on a small
group of participants over a long period of time. The easiest way to remember
this is to think of the word LONG,
A Case Study is very different, and usually involves one or very few
participants and consists of an in depth study of those participants, usually
looking through their history and trying to find out as much about them as
possible.
Longitudinal Studies Case Studies
An in depth study
A study conducted on a
conducted on a small
relatively small sample
sample which intends to
done over a long period
uncover as much
of time. The essence of
information about its
Description a longitudinal study is
participants as possible.
usually to identify
Case studies are usually
change over a period of
conducted in order to
time, e.g. changes in
obtain a detailed
attitudes to education
account of participants.
• Verstehen (True
picture of an
• Comparative Data individual – usually
• Same Sample both quantitative
• Attitudes Change and qualitative – of
Strengths • Reliable value to
• Representative interpretivists and
• Verstehen positivists)
• Valid
• Detailed
• Tracks Change
Weaknesses • Samples Change • Lacks
(Sample Attrition) Representivity
• Change in • Not Generalisable
Research Interest • Very Small
• Cost Samples
• Practicality (not • Snapshot
always possible, Judgement
structure is difficult) • Often Biased by

2. researcher
Longitudinal Studies and Case Studies
Longitudinal Studies and Case Studies are in fact very different things, and
the most important thing is not to get the two mixed up!
A Longitudinal Study is a study which is usually carried out on a small
group of participants over a long period of time. The easiest way to remember
this is to think of the word LONG,
A Case Study is very different, and usually involves one or very few
participants and consists of an in depth study of those participants, usually
looking through their history and trying to find out as much about them as
possible.
Longitudinal Studies Case Studies
An in depth study
A study conducted on a
conducted on a small
relatively small sample
sample which intends to
done over a long period
uncover as much
of time. The essence of
information about its
Description a longitudinal study is
participants as possible.
usually to identify
Case studies are usually
change over a period of
conducted in order to
time, e.g. changes in
obtain a detailed
attitudes to education
account of participants.
• Verstehen (True
picture of an
• Comparative Data individual – usually
• Same Sample both quantitative
• Attitudes Change and qualitative – of
Strengths • Reliable value to
• Representative interpretivists and
• Verstehen positivists)
• Valid
• Detailed
• Tracks Change
Weaknesses • Samples Change • Lacks
(Sample Attrition) Representivity
• Change in • Not Generalisable
Research Interest • Very Small
• Cost Samples
• Practicality (not • Snapshot

3. Judgement
always possible,
• Often Biased by
structure is difficult)
researcher