Handling multiple levels of data and multiple research questions in an embedded case study: methodological challenges

Abstract

Hougaard et al. report an embedded case study in which nine socially phobic clients were treated as part of a therapy program, which incorporated individual and group therapy and which was largely delivered by trainee clinicians. An important focus of the report is on the effectiveness of their treatment model. This commentary draws attention to the size and complexity of the available data, and it suggests ways in which the use of a more explicitly interpretative methodology can draw out additional dimensions of the data and allow a more systematic contribution to be made to the development of clinical theory.