Outline
Basically, severe deprivation points to acute, compounded or persistent economic hardship. Predominantly, acute economic hardship is characterized by living below the poverty life meaning there’s low supply of critical resources whereas compounded hardship implies disadvantages be they psychological, materially or socially. Mainly, persistent economic hardship implies a continuous disadvantageous condition. Persistent hardships may be in the form of childhood trauma, lifelong struggles and generational economic hardships .Predominantly, case studies, adoptee studies and comparison are among the major approaches used to make analysis and conclusions about severe deprivation. However, other study approaches include social work through the ethnographic approach. Through the study of severe deprivation, the negative effects of the same such as mental diseases, affectionless psychopathy have lasting negative impacts on those exposed in their early life thus the need to mitigate and eradicate such negative effects in future generations.
Undeniably, through the study of severe deprivation, connections have been made between child development and severe deprivation .In a way, early childhood institutionalization prompted by severe deprivation greatly adversely affects child development.
Noteworthy, case studies are more effective in investigating various issues such as severe deprivation as compared to comparison using groups. Typically, case studies is a data collection and analysis approach towards a given topic of study. Usually, case studies is observatory .Noteworthy, through case studies, researchers are able to thoroughly investigate the object of study thus leading to conclusive results. Usually, case studies adopt an idiographic or nomothetic approach which means single and multiple participation respectively.However, the use of comparison groups involves the comparative of the outcomes of one group of persons with the other .Mainly, the use of comparison groups is proof of whether an intervention or initiatives was successful between or among the compared groups (NPC Clinks ,n .d.).
Noteworthy, case studies are appraised for their ability to collect detailed data which is richer in content and depth thus providing conclusive and in-depth knowledge on severe deprivation and other case studies (Psud43, 2012).Noteworthy, case studies are the mostly used approach to psychology based research due to their ability to provide detail(Conolly,2011).Through case studies ,in depth information about participating individuals is achievable.In addition, case studies offer convenience in investigating dynamic sets of people in the sense that it is easier to make conclusions in scenarios where following up might be a problem. In a way, case studies provide a step to step observation and evaluation process which isn’t achievable under comparison groups or any other approach to data collection.
Case Studies
Moreover case studies cover holistic analysis of the topic under study with various methodologies in data collection. Noteworthy, under case studies, date can be collected though questionnaires, interviews and other data collection methods effectively leading to the ability to record both empirical and non-empirical data thus providing better understanding of the case study process and findings by both researchers, participants and other interested parties. Also, through case studies, both empirical data and information can be incorporated in the case study findings (Faculty of Business and Commerce, n. d).The ability to incorporate a variety of data collection methods offers a flexibility to researchers to use all the methods to collect date necessary for their case study without any restrictions .Flexibility of resources for data collection affords researchers convenience which is desirable for the proper functioning of case study.
Also, case studies are efficient in investigating seldom conditions such as diseases which have a long latency timeline Simply put, through case study, the researchers are able to take their time in observing their subject of study step by step due to the fact that every process is documented and crucial for the findings of the case study. Latency periods can be influenced by the time difference between exposure or infection and manifestation thus making case studies more efficient as contrasted with comparison groups(Lamorte,2016).Further case studies has been considered effective in addressing challenging assumptions. Through case studies it is easier to address challenging theories and concepts due to the specific nature of the cast study.Unlike other approaches to psychological research, case study offers detailed account of the case study which requires time thus making case study a much better option for investigating severe deprivation.
Notably, case studies are ideal for stirring new research which in a way progresses the initial study. In the sense that through case studies valuable information can be deduced in the case of completed case studies prompting advanced research into the field as compared to the use of comparison groups (Universal class, 2017).Also, through case studies there’s flexibility in the sense that case studies can begin at any stage during the research process hence making it easier and convenient to use unlike other approaches to investigating severe deprivation and other research topics(Murphy,2014).Through case studies ,it is easier to address specific issues .Also due to the continual nature of case studies it is easier to advance research on already existing case studies. Case studies make it easier to advance research into various scientific disciplines and psychology is no exception.
Comparison Groups
Further, through case studies it is easier to challenge established ideas and theories. For instance in the John/John Case study it was disproved through a case study that gender and sexual identity were construed by nurture and not nature (Universal Class,2017).Through case studies, complex facts get to be simplified in the sense that conclusive findings get to disprove of proof a certain concept or belief. Through successful case studies, simpler truths are made possible. Notably, case studies are authoritative approaches in the field of psychology .For instance ,Littles Hans and the Rat Man case studies are considered authoritatively insightful in their respective findings thus making it ideal to use case studies(Mcleod,2008).Moreover, through case studies phenomenal insights can be achieved which is unavailable in other approaches to severe deprivation.Notably,perception and motion disparities and in-depth understanding of colors in the Sidney Bradford case study is an authoritative case on the ability of new insights to be achieved through case studies(Universal class,2017).
Despite the effectiveness of case studies as a tool for investigating severe deprivation, there are various setbacks which make it prudent to adopt other methods of approach. Usually, case studies, data collection is prone to bias(Lamorte,2016).In a way ,the researcher s interpretation of the data collected depends on personal perceptions, attitudes which could be biased against the case study thereby leading to not so objective results. Also, some argue that case studies eliminate absolute risks. Basically, absolute risk imply incidence calculation which is not possible under case studies. Through case studies, it is possible to get inconclusive data due to the Hawthorne effects. Essentially, the Hawthorne effects implies that behavioral changes might be observed in individuals under case study due to the awareness that they are under observation (Universal class, 2017).
In addition the flexibility of case studies to implement various data collection methods which is uniquely to it .The ability to use various date collection methods has made it possible to collect a wider range of information for conclusive findings. Also, case studies are time consuming due to the fact that researchers have to observe the objects of their studies for substantial time periods for detailed and conclusive results. The strength of case studies lies in the ability to document detail which is no doubt time consuming(Hodell,2016).Unlike other approaches to research, case studies are considered high in content thus making it easier to understand all the aspects of the case study. Typically more information improves the understanding levels of concepts thus very vital to collect as much data possible for any research product and case studies provide a sure way to detail and understanding.
Strengths of Case Studies
In addition, the ability of case studies to rely on human memory and interpretation opens the possibility for errors and misinterpretations. The fact that case studies depend on the interpretation and perception of the researcher raises the question of objectivity and bias. Undeniably, a researchers personal attitudes, perceptions and interpretations greatly influence the outcome of the case study thus making it prone to misinterpretation and errors. Further, case studies tend to focus on single research elements thus raising questions about generalizability (Reis ,2009).Further, Case studies are considered less scientific in the sense that some persons argue that its lacks science based vigour (Crowe et.al.,2011).Typically, scientific research has its own way of going about it to which case studies fall short of according to some observation thus the assertion that case studies lack scientific vigour.
Essentially, comparison groups are appraised for their ability to provide generalized findings which is considered advantageous over case studies. However, comparison groups has fewer advantageous unlike case studies thus making case studies a better investigative approach. Noteworthy, through the use of comparison groups it is easier to overcome pre-post designs unlike in other methodological approaches(Orr, n. d).Further, through comparison groups it is easier to exercise the same experiment over a large number of persons as opposed to case studies which uses a single subject. Significantly, control groups also known as comparison groups are considered very effective in experimenting single variables at a given time which is crucial and advantageous for any scientific related research like severe deprivation .However, Comparison groups can yield inconclusive findings in the event that different criteria for assessment is used.
Moreover, comparison groups effectiveness depend on whether the participants are similar to the ones to which the research is meant to apply. There’s need to choose group participants based on a specified criteria as opposed to random selection or testing criteria. (Pithon, 2013).Failure to which renders the results of the comparison group inaccurate .Further, comparison groups require appropriateness in choosing the baseline participants (Pithon, 2013).In addition, through comparison groups its hard if not impossible to do a follow up unlike case studies whereby it is possible to undertake follow up sessions during the case study. The loss of patients during follow ups renders some serious setback for the undergoing research.
Conclusion
Undeniably, there’s need for research in all disciplines and psychology is no exception. Severe deprivation is a form of economic hardship whose study has been implemented through case studies and comparison groups among other approaches. The desire to investigate severe deprivation is motivated by the desire to mitigate and eradicate the negative effects of severe deprivation in the adult life .Largely, Case studies is considered more effective than comparison groups due to the various advantages it possesses over comparison groups. Notably, case studies are detailed in their findings, considered authoritative in its findings, it can advance research on an existing case study and provides better insights into various concepts among other merits .Despite its various weaknesses such as time consuming, might be costly, may be subjected to error or bias among other shortcomings, most psychologists prefer its approach to other approaches.
References
Connolly, E. (2011).The Use of Case studies in Psychology. WordPress.Com. Retrieved from https://emconnolly.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/the-use-of-case-studies-in-psychology/
Crowe, S., Creswell, K.., Robertson, A.,.(2011).The Case study Approach .NCBI. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3141799/
Faculty of Business and Economics.(n .d).Case Studies: Research Methods. University of Melbourne .Retrieved from https://library.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1924175/Casestudy_Research.pdf
Hodell, M. (2016).What are some strengths and Weaknesses of case studies.Quora.Com. Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-strengths-and-weaknesses-of-case-studies
Hseih, C.(N. d).Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Case Study Research. Sinica. Retrieved from https://journal.survey.sinica.edu.tw/files/paper/51_544bcf1c.pdf
Lamorte, W.W. (2016).Advantages and Disadvantages of Case-Control studies. Boston University .Retrieved from https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/ep/ep713_case-control/EP713_Case-Control8.html
Mcleod, S. (2008).Case Study Method.Simplypsychology.Org. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/case-study.html
Murphy, M. (2014).What are the benefits and Drawbacks of case Study Research. Social Theory Applied.com. Retrieved from https://socialtheoryapplied.com/2014/05/24/benefits-drawbacks-case-study-research/
NPC .Clinks. Using Comparative Group Approaches to understand Impact. Clinks.Org. Retrieved from https://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/UsingControlGroupApproachesToIdentifyImpact.pdf
Orr, L .L.().Social Experiments: Evaluating Public programs with Experimental Methods. Google books. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=fEDr7roP9dkC&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7&dq=comparison+group+approach&source=bl&ots=qjbKWZKIVC&sig=ISsa-SuPD8Wwj_q3oKKg3ru79BY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi1u72q-vzXAhVDwxQKHYinDqM4ChDoAQgsMAI#v=onepage&q=comparison%20group%20approach&f=false
Pithon, M. M. (2013).Importance of Control Group in Scientific Research. Scielo.Com. Retrieved from https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2176-94512013000600003
Psud43. (2012).Advantages and Disadvantages of Case studies. Word Press .Retrieved from https://psud43.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-case-studies/
Reis, R. (2009).Strengths and limitations of Case Studies. CGI. Retrieved from https://cgi.stanford.edu/~dept-ctl/tomprof/posting.php?ID=1013
Universal class. (2017).The strengths and Weaknesses of Case studies. Universal class. Inc. Retrieved from https://www.universalclass.com/articles/business/a-case-studies-strengths-and-weaknesses.htm