Briefly describe what a case study is, and why it is important for research.

A case study is an in-depth examination of a single person (or small group of individuals). It is conducted by gathering information from many sources, such as through observations, interviews, and conversations with family, friends, and others who know the individual. A case study may include samples or interpretations of a person's writing, such as poetry or journal entries, artwork, and other creations. A case study provides a rich description of a person's life and influences on his or her development. It is often employed to study individuals who have unique and unusual experiences, abilities, or disorders. Conclusions drawn from a case study may shed light on an individual's development but may not be generalized or applied to others. Case studies can be a source of hypotheses to examine in large scale research.