Which of the following statements best describes a case study?

• A. A psychological research method that involves manipulating one variable to discover its effect on another.
• B. A statistical technique that examines the direction and strength of a relationship between two variables.
• C. A research method that involves utilizing archived data.
• D. A research method that involves an in-depth examination of a single individual or small group of people.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a case study is a qualitative research method used in psychology.
2. Recognize that a case study involves an in-depth examination of a single individual or a small group, providing detailed insights.
3. Differentiate a case study from other research methods like experiments, which manipulate variables, or correlational studies, which examine relationships between variables.
4. Identify that case studies often use various data collection methods such as interviews, observations, and analysis of personal documents.
5. Acknowledge that case studies are valuable for exploring rare or unique phenomena, offering rich qualitative data that can inform broader psychological theories.