What is the focus of "case study" methodology?

The focus of case study methodology is indeed an in-depth examination of a specific individual or group. This approach allows researchers to gather detailed qualitative data on the subject, providing rich insights into their experiences, behaviors, and psychological processes. By concentrating on one particular case, researchers can explore complex issues in a real-world context, enabling them to capture nuances that broader research methods might overlook.

In clinical psychology, this is particularly valuable as it facilitates a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s mental health issues, treatment responses, and personal history. Case studies can inform clinical practice by highlighting unique patterns or factors that may contribute to psychological conditions, fostering a deeper understanding of individual variations in psychological phenomena.

Broad analyses of population trends or comparative analyses of multiple case histories lack the granularity found in case studies. Similarly, statistical summaries derived from survey data do not provide the depth of understanding that case studies allow, which is crucial in the field of clinical psychology for tailoring interventions to individual needs.