Representative Case Research: A Way of Knowing

Representative case research applies principles of personology and the human sciences to psychological inquiry. Carefully chosen persons are examined one at a time to learn how each experiences and manages an event, situation, or set of circumstances or conditions that are important in human life. Such research requires the collaboration of a technically competent initiating investigator and a coinvestigator, who serves as an expert consultant because he or she knows about the topic of interest at first hand. A supervisor and advisors are also included on the research team. The research is carried out in cycles; all information and interpretations are repeatedly submitted to the coinvestigator for examination, clarification, and comment.