Which of the following is a disadvantage of case studies?

The chosen answer highlights a significant disadvantage of case studies, which is that behavior observed during the study may not accurately reflect how individuals or groups behave in natural settings. Case studies often involve a detailed examination of a single case or a small number of cases, which can lead to insights that might not be generalizable. Participants may alter their behavior due to the awareness of being observed, known as the Hawthorne effect, causing discrepancies between study observations and real-world behavior.

This limitation suggests that the findings from case studies, while rich in depth and detail, could lack external validity. Essentially, behaviors documented in a controlled or observed scenario might not replicate under different circumstances, making it challenging to apply those findings broadly to the larger population. This characteristic underscores the need for caution when interpreting case study results, as the context surrounding the study significantly influences the outcomes.