What is one advantage of using case studies?

One advantage of using case studies is that they offer rich, detailed insights into atypical behavior. This qualitative research method allows for an in-depth exploration of complex issues, individual experiences, or rare phenomena. By focusing intensively on a single subject or a small group, case studies provide nuanced information that can enhance understanding of the psychological factors at play. This depth of analysis can reveal patterns, generate hypotheses, and contribute to theory development, especially in areas where larger-scale quantitative studies may be impractical or insufficient to capture the intricacies of human behavior.

In contrast, other methods like surveys or experiments often prioritize breadth over depth, potentially overlooking unique or rare behaviors that might be critical for a complete understanding of psychological phenomena.