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Case studies in psychology

"Case studies are in-depth investigations of a single person, group, event or community. Typically, data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods (e.g. observations & interviews)."

Finding case studies

Advanced Search

TIP: Try using equivalent or alternative terms when looking for case studies

(abnormal OR atypical) AND "child development"

 

Relevant Databases

Limiting your searches to case studies is not the same in all databases. Remember to open the advanced search in each database and select 'case study' from the list of resource types.

PsycINFO

PsycINFO screenshot on how to limite your search to case studies.

Child and Adolescent Studies and Education Research Complete

Child and Adolescent Studies database screenshot on how to limit searches to case studies.

Science Direct

Note: Under the 'Advanced Search' section, select 'Show all fields' to reveal the article types options.

ScienceDirect database screenshot on how to limit searches to case studies.

PubMed

Note: Start a basic search and then limit to 'Case Reports' under article types.

PubMed screenshot showing how to narrow results to case studies.

Case Study Example

Instructions

  1. Open the sample article linked below

  2. In pairs or triads, review the following

    • Identify the objective of the case study and the disorder being studied

    • Identify the therapy (or therapies) used and method for analyzing data

  3. Develop one or two reflection questions, as if you presenting on this article

Find example case study presentations

Presentation resources

Building your presentation

  • Make sure your presentation has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Use slide headings and transitions, so the audience knows where you are in the presentation.
  • Make sure the presentation isn't too text heavy and use engaging imagery when possible.
  • Text should be large and easy for your audience to read.

This site has many presentation templates for Google Slides and PowerPoint. Each slide has images and icons to help you communicate your research.

Templates are licensed openly under the Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0 International.

NOTE: Images within these templates should be Creative Commons licensed. It is always good practice to double check these images.

Using images in presentations

  • Make sure you have the rights to use the image. If possible, choose images that have a Creative Commons License.
  • Always provide a citation for the images you include in your presentation, ideally with a link to the original sources.

The following websites allow you to search for Creative Commons licensed images. Always double check the source of these images using TinEye (linked above) to makes sure the images are not copyrighted.

Google advanced image search

Under the 'usage rights' section of the search, select 'free to use, share or modify, even commercially' from the drop down menu. This will limit your searches to images with the most permissive usage license.

Google advanced image search license chooser

Tips for writing reflection questions

Analysis: encourage deep thinking about a particular issue

Compare and contrast: examine two different aspects

Cause and effect: why one thing led to another

Clarification: get the audience to explain something