The three types of designs in this book, three types of designs are advanced. This methodology, notes yin 2004, is particularly relevant when the researcher. If we sample the study participants based on exposure and move towards the outcome, it is a cohort study. The case study as a type of qualitative research 39 generalization upon the basis of an individual case is not possible. This may be an attempt to test a theory with a typical case or it can be a specific topic that is of interest. The advantage of the case study research design is that you can focus on specific and interesting cases. The case study method is a popular research method that is particularly appealing for applied disciplines since processes, problems, andor programs can be studied to engender understanding that can improve practice.
Case study method an overview sciencedirect topics. A case in case study methodology christine benedichte meyer. A definition of the case study is presented in section 1. Unit of analysis or case can be the individual can be the same as case in holistic single and multiple case study example. The use of mixed research methodology for my study included secondary analysis of an existing statistical data set.
Case study is a research methodology, typically seen in social and life sciences. Case study research has grown in reputation as an effective methodology to investigate and understand complex issues in real world settings. Response of the investigator is an important limitation of the case study method. The research methodology case study may be somewhat controversial as far as data collection methods are concerned but are widely used if your research concerns an indepth explanation of social behavior which makes case studies methodology a perfect technique for social science students. The popular point of view that a case study is characterised by a holistic approach is explained and discussed in. According to its design, case studies in business research can be divided into three.
Case study as a qualitative methodology is an exploration of a time and spacebound phenomenon. Another, similar, definition is that a case study is an analyse of systems that are studied with a comprehensive view by either one or several methods thomas, 2011. Case study method can be used only in a limited sphere. After having found a fair amount of frequently cited articles i identified several authors whose work obviously have had a great impact on the research of case studies, such. Research methodology applied to a comparative case study. Its aim is to give a detailed description of a case study its definition, some classifications, and several advantages. Case studies are appropriate when there is a unique or interesting story to be told. The logic of case study methods, much like that of any historians or detectives. The case study approach allows indepth, multifaceted explorations of complex. Proofreading and creating a paper from scratch, professional writers, intime delivery and 247 support.
This article presents the case study as a type of qualitative research. Case study method enables a researcher to closely examine the data within a specific context. Research methodology and design 294 whether these researchparadigms are necessarily opposed or whether they can be seen as contributing a different role in the same study. Using interpretive qualitative case studies for exploratory. The case was certified by the court as a class action. Some theoretical, methodological and applied considerations. What case study is different forms of qualitative traditions exist and the design of research within each has distinct features cresswell, 98. Definition of a case study a case study is a holistic inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its. A collective case study may be conducted at one site e. The case study has been especially used in social science, psychology, anthropology and ecology. Case studies are based on an indepth investigation of a single individual, group or event to explore the causes of underlying principles.
Qualitative case study methodology provides tools for researchers to study complex phenomena within their. They defined case study as a methodology that is used to explore a single phenomenon in a natural setting using a variety of methods to obtain indepth knowledge. Pdf the case study as a type of qualitative research. Application of a case study methodology by winston m. Thus, it is important to remember that the nature of the study case control or cohort depends on the sampling method. The entire culturesharing group in ethnography may be considered a case, but the intent in ethnography is to determine how the culture works rather than to understand an issue or problem using the case as a specific illustration. Despite being one of the most frequently used qualitative research methodologies in educational research, the methodologists do not have a full consensus on the design and implementation of case study. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research. The case study method puts data into a usable format for those who read the data and note its outcome.
It usually precedes a final study, which can, itself, be a case study, but it can also have a different research design boos, 1992. As opposed to other qualitative or quantitative research strategies, such as grounded theory or surveys, there are virtually no specific requirements guiding case research. In the social and life sciences, a case study is a research method involving an upclose, indepth, and detailed examination of a particular case. Case study methodology is very popular as a research method in different fields of science. Three approaches to case study methods in education.
The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive view of the case study process from the researchers perspective, emphasizing methodological considerations. Case study enquiry has been recognised as a research methodology allowing for utilisation of a diverse range of design, data collection methods and analysis of multiple sources of quantitative and qualitative evidence hakim, 2000. Case study is a small inclusive and intensive study of an individual in which investigators brings to bear their skills and method. Professional and quality help with editing your paper. Methodology of the study research methodology indicates the logic of development of the process used to generate theory that is procedural framework within which the research is conducted remenyi et al. As opposed to other qualitative or quantitative research strategies, such as grounded theory or surveys, there are virtually no specific requirements guiding case. Design the case study, conduct the case study, analyze the case study evidence, and develop the conclusions, recommendations and implications. Case study designs have been used across a number of disciplines, particularly the social sciences, education, business, law, and health, to address a wide range of research questions. Case study methodology in business research jan dul and tony hak amsterdam boston heidelberg london new york oxford paris san diego san francisco singapore sydney tokyo butterworthheinemann is an imprint of elsevier. A research program has been developed by the dalo research team to explore, measure, and monitor learning organisation principles that facilitate a supportive learning environment within army. A careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or problem using scientific methods. Therefore, it can be seen that case study research is capable of accommodating. Stake 2005 severed case study from methodology by stating, case study is not a methodological choice but a choice of what is to be studied. The approach of data collection is different for different fields of study, depending on the required information.
Case study method in research methodology in research. Researchers who have contributed to the development of case study research come from diverse disciplines with different philosophical perspectives, resulting in a variety of definitions and approaches. Case study methodology has long been a contested terrain in social sciences research which is characterized by varying, sometimes opposing, approaches espoused by many research methodologists. Although there may be perspectives of the researcher included in the outcome, the goal of this method is to help the reader be able to identify specific concepts to which they also relate. Keeping the above definitions in view we conclude that case study is a method of studying a social unit and its aspects deeply and thoroughly. Explanatory research explanatory research focuses on why. Besides discussing case study design, data collection, and analysis, the refresher addresses several key features of case study research. The case study method embraces the full set of procedures needed to do case study research. Case studies are indepth investigations of a single person, group, event or community. Under the more generalized category of case study exist several subdivisions, each of which is custom selected for use depending upon the goals andor objectives of the investigator. Bjerke it universtiy of goteborg chalmers university of technology and universtiy of gothenburg goteborg, sweden 2008. Pdf using case studies in research semantic scholar. The selection of a research design sage publications.
The discussion in the chapter is structured around the research design, population sampling, data collection and data analysis. Case studies are good for describing, comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a research problem. The case study approach bmc medical research methodology. Case study depends our perception and gives clear insight into life directory. As qualitative research, case studies require much more from their authors who are acting as instruments within the inquiry process. Theory testing case studies theory building case studies clinical case studiescase centered cheryl chi grounded theory method. The methodology of this article is to discuss aspects of qualitative research in social sciences and. Research should be thorough and note taking should be meticulous and systematic. Collective case study involves more than one case, which may or may not be physically colocated with other cases. A case study is a research methodology that has commonly used in social sciences.
The case study method is not aimed to analyse cases, but it is a good way to define cases and to explore a. This method of study is especially useful for trying to test theoretical models by. Illustrative case studies these are primarily descriptive studies. Definitions and examples of different types of case studies.
Distinguishing case study as a research method from case. He often thinks that he has full knowledge of the unit and can himself answer about it. Stakes definition is noteworthy because, as we discuss at some. Its aim is to give a detailed description of a case study its definition, some. That methodology will follow the recommendation of yin 1994 and has four stages. Methodology decisions depend on the nature of the research question. The case study research method originated in clinical medicine the case history, i. Case study methodology 529 we established four prerequisites for inclusion as a case study. The case had been filed within the several years prior to our study. It is important to clarify the definition of these cases as they may be subjective, e. Grounded theory case study research must have a theoretical dimension otherwise it will be of little value for wider generalization.
The popular point of view that a case study is characterised by a holistic approach is explained and discussed in section 1. This development has been advocated by, among others, michael quinn patton 1990. Case study and qualitative methods introduction to graduate students and researchers unfamiliar with case study methodology, there is often misunderstanding about what a case study is and how it, as a form of. Ethical considerations and measures to provide trustworthiness are also discussed. How to write a methodology section for case study your. The most critical objective of data collection is ensuring that informationrich and reliable data is collected for statistical analysis so that datadriven decisions can be made for research. Case study method definition of case study method by. First, an abbreviated definition of a case study will help identify the circumstances when you might choose to use the case study method instead of or as a complement to some other research method.
The label case study is most frequently associated with the exploratory case study. Case study methodology research methodology case studies. Draws heavily on previous established research in an attempt to distil the key aspects of case study research in such a way as to encourage new researchers to grapple with and apply these. Methodcase study vs grounded theory stanford university. Yin 2004 has described case study methodology as a distinctive means of empirical enquiry particularly suitable for exploring the how and why of contemporary phenomena within a reallife context. A case study at a purchasing department using ssm to suggest a new way of conducting financial reporting at a purchasing department in the automotive industry olle l. Thats why college students who take classes in those sciences are often assigned to write case studies. For the researcher new to using case study, such variety can create a. In contrast, contemporary case study research calls for meeting these challenges by using more systematic procedures. Case study research design how to conduct a case study. Robertson a, cresswell k, takian a, petrakaki d, crowe s, cornford t, et al. Explains when case study can be used, research design, data collection and data analysis, offering suggestions for drawing on the evidence in writing a report or dissertation.
Case study methods have been around as long as recorded history, and they presently account for a large proportion of the books and articles in anthropology, biology, economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology, and even the medical sciences. Sampling is also not possible under a case study method. Pdf the case study as a type of qualitative research researchgate. The selection of a research design is also based on the nature of the research problem or issue being addressed, the researchers personal experiences, and the audiences for the study. However, this is a function of inconsequential descriptions rather than an indictment of descriptive research itself. In this study methodology refers to how the research was done and its logical sequence.
Jul 09, 2018 a case study is a research methodology that has commonly used in social sciences. Case study method definition, characteristics, stages. Case study design definition of case study design by. These tasks include designing a case study, collecting the studys data, ana lyzing the data, and presenting and reporting the results. Typically, data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods e. The case study as a scientific method is, and has been for a long time, a subject of heavy discussion in the scientific community. According to the american sociologist earl robert babbie, research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. Definition of case study case study method enables a researcher to closely examine the data within a specific context. Exploratory case studies help to gain insight into the structure of a phenomenon in order to develop hypotheses, models, or. Case studies aim to analyze specific issues within the boundaries of a specific environment, situation or organization. A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods, but quantitative methods are sometimes also used. In most cases, a case study method selects a small geographical area or a very limited number of individuals as the subjects of study.
Indeed, when case study research is done poorly, these and other challenges can come together in a negative way, potentially recreating conventional prejudices against the case study method. Explore the research methods terrain, read definitions of key terminology. Case study research method m e t h o d o l o g y r e v i e w prof. Research methodology applied to a comparative case study of. Sep 20, 20 case study methodology in business research jan dul and tony hak amsterdam boston heidelberg london new york oxford paris san diego san francisco singapore sydney tokyo butterworthheinemann is an imprint of elsevier. Case study methodology has developed in the direction of eclecticism and pragmatism.
There are different definitions of a case study but most researchers agree that it is an empirical method which focuses on investigating contemporary phenomena in their context. Case studies are a popular research method in business area. For example, a case study in medicine may examine a specific patient a doctor treated, and a case study in business might study a particular firms strategy. A case study is a research strategy and an empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon within its reallife context. Table 1 example of a case study investigating the reasons for differences in recruitment rates of minority ethnic. Keeping the above definitions in view we conclude that case study is a method of studying a social unit and its aspects deeply. Case study is but one qualitative methodology, the output of which is the case study. When the approach is applied correctly, it becomes a valuable method for health science research to. Renu susan thomas, little flower college of nursing, angamaly 2. May 08, 2019 a case study is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. Case study methodology in research generates contextdependent knowledge of accounts of practice which should be explored and studied analytically. The case study research design have evolved over the past few years as a useful tool for investigating trends and specific situations in many scientific disciplines. Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and.
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