Published online Jul 6, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i13.2787
Peer-review started: March 9, 2020
First decision: April 22, 2020
Revised: June 15, 2020
Accepted: July 1, 2020
Article in press: July 1, 2020
Published online: July 6, 2020
Processing time: 119 Days and 17.6 Hours
Single-case, exploratory studies are essential for generating hypotheses and fill research gaps.
A common, broadly accepted and reliable structure for case studies is lacking in practice-oriented psychotherapy research.
The survey explores the current situation of the usage of case assignments.
According to grounded theory, inductive and deductive approaches were conducted (focus groups, survey, qualitative content analysis).
Data reports the usage of case assignments for training issues, rarely for research issues. Therapists’ and researchers’ bias is stated.
In order to establish valid and objective structures for personalized psychotherapy research, guidance to establish and to attune case-study research is necessary. Existing guidelines have to be implemented with more concerted efforts.
A deeper understanding of cases in order to detect new research questions, new clinical approaches can be very useful in the field of practice oriented clinical research. Mixed methods research designs including also patient-public involvement, in-depth interviews, interpretative analyses are helpful, a commonly attuned structure and guidance is necessary.