Which term describes in-depth research on one or a few participants using observations, interviews, and psychological testing?

Which term describes in-depth research on one or a few participants using observations, interviews, and psychological testing?

• A. Case study
• B. Survey
• C. Randomized controlled trial
• D. Meta-analysis

Answer: (A)

The idea here is a research approach that digs deeply into one person or a small number of participants, using multiple methods like observations, interviews, and psychological tests to build a comprehensive picture of the case. This description matches a case study, which focuses on rich, context-laden data from a single individual or a few individuals rather than broad trends across many people. Case studies are especially useful for exploring unique experiences or developing hypotheses by integrating information from various sources to understand how something unfolds in a real-life context. In contrast, surveys collect information from large groups to identify patterns and relationships, not the detailed inner workings of a few cases. Randomized controlled trials test the effects of an intervention by randomly assigning participants to groups, aiming to establish causality with experimental control. Meta-analyses combine results from multiple studies to estimate overall effects.

The idea here is a research approach that digs deeply into one person or a small number of participants, using multiple methods like observations, interviews, and psychological tests to build a comprehensive picture of the case. This description matches a case study, which focuses on rich, context-laden data from a single individual or a few individuals rather than broad trends across many people. Case studies are especially useful for exploring unique experiences or developing hypotheses by integrating information from various sources to understand how something unfolds in a real-life context.

In contrast, surveys collect information from large groups to identify patterns and relationships, not the detailed inner workings of a few cases. Randomized controlled trials test the effects of an intervention by randomly assigning participants to groups, aiming to establish causality with experimental control. Meta-analyses combine results from multiple studies to estimate overall effects.