Key Terms
Used in
Education, psychology, sociology, linguistics, medicine, and other research fields.
Analysis
Interpretation of data gathered in a case study.
Data
Information gathered from observation, interviews, research, or any other part of a case study.
Field observations
Observations made while participants engage in real activities at real locations (work, school, home, social venues).
Results
What the collected data reveals about the research question.
Participants
The human (or, in some cases, nonhuman) subjects observed for the purpose of collecting data.
Observation environment
The location and conditions under which participants are observed.
Research question
The focused question that forms the basis of the entire case study. Everything else flows from this.
Survey/Interview
Questions asked of participants to gather relevant information.
Phantom limb
The sensation — sometimes painful — of a limb that has been amputated.
KEY FINDING
Broca observed a significant malformation on the left frontal lobe. He hypothesized this was the source of the patient's
Language note from the Leborgne study
Broca theorized that Leborgne used the syllable "tan" because he grew up in Moret-sur-Loing, a town with many tanneries.
Ideal participant
Someone who is bilingual, speaks more than one dialect, or noticeably shifts how they communicate across different situa
Target length
1,000 to 1,200 words.
Open-ended
Multiple plausible answers; not yes or no.