(i) A case study is an in-depth study of one person. (ii) In psychology, case studies are often confined to the study of a particular individual. (iii) Explanatory case studies are used to do causal investigations.

1. Case study procedure in guidance
• Case studies are in-depth investigations
of a single person, group, event or
community.Typically data are gathered
from a variety of sources and by using
several different methods (e.g.
observations & interviews).The case
study research method originated in
clinical medicine (the case history, i.e. the
patient’s personal history - idiographic
method).

2. CASE STUDY
Case studies are often conducted in clinical medicine and involve collecting and reporting
descriptive information about a particular person or specific environment, such as a school. In
psychology, case studies are often confined to the study of a particular individual.The
information is mainly biographical and relates to events in the individual’s past (i.e.
retrospective), as well as to significant events which are currently occurring in his or her everyday
life. In order to produce a fairly detailed and comprehensive profile of the person, the
psychologist may use various types of accessible data.

3. MEANING OF CASE
STUDY
A case study is an in-depth study of one person. Much of work and theories were developed
through individual case studies.
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. Freud’s most famous case studies included Little Hans andThe Rat Man.

4. Definitions of Case Study Methods
1.Young, P.V. (1984): Case study is a comprehensive study of a social unit, be it a person, a
group of persons, an institute, a community or a family.
2.Groode and Hatt (1953): It is a method of exploring and analyzing the life of a social unit
3.Cooley, C.H. (2007): Case study depends our perception and gives clear insight into life
directory.
4.Bogardus, E. S. (1925): The method of examining specially and in detail a given situation
5.Robson C. (1993): A strategy for doing research which involves an empirical
investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon within its real life context using
multiple sources of evidence.

5. Types of Case Study
Types of Case Study
Explanatory : Used to do causal investigations
Exploratory : A case study that is sometimes used as a prelude to further, more in-depth research.
This allows researchers to gather more information before developing their research questions
and hypotheses
Descriptive : Involves starting with a descriptive theory.The subjects are then observed and the
information gathered is compared to the pre-existing theory
Intrumental : Occurs when the individual or group allows researchers to understand more than what is initially
obvious to observers. s
Intrinsic : A type of case study in which the researcher has a personal interest in the case
Collective : Involves, studying a group of individuals

6. CASE STUDY METHOD
THE DAY BOOK METHOD
BIOGRAOHICAL METHOD
THE CLINICAL METHOD

7. Sources of Information for Case Study
Direct observation :This strategy involves observing the subject, often in a natural setting.While an
individual observer is sometimes used, it is more common to utilize a group of observers.
Interviews : One of the most important methods for gathering information in
case studies.An interview can involves structured survey-type questions, or
more open-ended questions.
Documents : Letters, newspaper articles, administrative records, etc.
Archival records : Census records, survey records, name lists, etc
Physical artifacts :Tools, objects, instruments and other artifacts often observed during a direct
observation of the subject.
Participant observation : Involves the researcher actually serving as a participant in events and
observing the actions and outcomes.

8. Techniques used for Case Studies

9. Difference between Case Study and Case History
A case study is a research method used to investigate an individual, a group of people, or a particular
phenomenon. The case study has been used in many disciplines especially in social science,
anthropology, sociology, psychology, and political science. A case study allows the researcher to gain an
in-depth understanding of the topic. To conduct a case study, the researcher can use a number of
techniques.
A case history refers to a record of an individual or even a group. Case histories are used in many
disciplines such as psychology, sociology, medicine, psychiatry, etc. It consists of all the necessary
information of the individual.

10. STEPS OF CASE STUDY

11. Advantages of Case Study
a) It facilitates intensive study and in-depth analysis of a social unit which help in contradicting established theory.
b) In-depth and comprehensive information are collected through this method which helps in stimulating new
research.
c) It is suitable for collecting data pertaining to sensitive areas of a social phenomenon.
d) It helps to collect details regarding the diverse habits, traits and qualities of the unit under investigation (Kothari,
2014).
e) The researcher can understand better the social change of different facets of a social unit every now and then.
f) This study can be a means to understand the past of a social unit because of its emphasis of historical analysis.
g) The researcher can used any type of methods like interview, questionnaire, documents, self-reports etc.
h) Case study enables to generalize the knowledge amusing from the information collected.
i) A real personal experience can be recorded which enlighten and reveal the real man’s inner determined.
j) The data obtained through case study is useful for formulation of hypothesis and preparation of schedule and
questionnaire for such types of study and for further research (Kothari, 2014).
k) It helps in enhancing his/her experience, ability and skill in content analysis of the data.
l) It is useful for therapeutic and administrative purposes, particularly in diagnosis, treatment and therapy etc.

12. Limitations of Case Study
a) Case history records could be open to errors due to faulty selection of case and inaccurate observation
(Kothari, 2014).
b) There are chances of inaccuracy of the data as no uniform and standardized system of recording case
histories has been developed.
c) Data collected from case study usually based on several assumptions which may not be very realistic at times
times
d) This method is mainly qualitative rather than quantitative, hence there may be question of subjectivity.
e) It is very difficult to draw generalizations on the basis of a few cases.
f) Sampling is not possible in case study as this method can be used only in a limited unit.
g) The information collected from case study is incomparable since each informant gives his/her own opinion.
Therefore, replication is not possible.
h) Since this method is fully based on the informant, sometimes the informant himself thinks that he/she have
the full knowledge and the information given by them may include some fake also.
i) The investigator’s bias might distort the quality of the case study (Kothari, 2014).
j) Case Study is time-consuming and costly in certain cases.
k) This method cannot be effectively used in big and complex societies (Kothari, 2014).

13. Steps To Be Taken For The Case
Study Method.
1. Determine and define research questions
2. Select cases and determine data collection and
analysis techniques
3. Preparation for data collection
4. Collection of data in the field
5. Evaluate and analyze data
6. Prepare the report

14. (i) A ______ is an in-depth study of one person.
(ii) In ______, case studies are confined to the study of a particular individual.
(iii) ______ case studies used to do causal investigations.
(iv) A type of case study in which the researcher has a personal interest in the case is called ______ case study.

15. The researcher establishes the focus of the study by asking
questions about the situation or problem being studied and
determining a purpose for the study. The object of research
in a study may often be
1. Determine and define research questions

16. 2,Select cases and determine data
collection and analysis techniques
During the research design phase, the
researcher determines which approaches will
be used in the selection of single or
multiple real-life cases to examine in
depth, and which instruments and approaches
to data collection will be used.
When using multiple cases, each case is
treated as unique. The conclusions of each
case can then be used as information that
contributes to the entire study, however
each case remains a single case.
‘

17. 3.Preparation for data collection in the
Case Study Method
Because case-study research generates a
large amount of data from multiple sources,
systematic organization of data is
important to prevent the researcher from
becoming overwhelmed by the amount of data
and to prevent the researcher from losing
sight of the original goal and questions of
the researcher. search.

18. 4,Collection of data in the field
The researcher must collect and store multiple sources
of evidence comprehensively and systematically in
formats that can be referenced and classified so that
convergent lines of inquiry and patterns can be
discovered. The researchers carefully observe the object
of the case study and identify causal factors associated
with the observed phenomenon.
5.Evaluate and analyze data
The researcher examines the raw data using
many interpretations to find links between
the search object and the results with
reference to the original search questions.
Throughout the process of evaluation and
analysis, the researcher remains open to
new opportunities and insights.

19. 6.Prepare the report