For example, a case study of a veteran with ptsd can be used to help new therapists better understand what veterans experience. This article presents the case study as a type of qualitative research. Second, the number of cases needed to be performed to increase the sample and also increase the statistical strength, would require more cases than what is probably afforded or even available. Mel is putting together a case study, or detailed analysis of a single person or group and its relationship to a phenomenon.
Pdf case study research design and methods second edition. Case studies involve the documented history and comprehensive analysis of a situation concerning subjects such as industries, organizations, and markets. The case study approach is often an uncontrolled inquiry into history retrospective and it may yield interesting information. Pdf the case study as a type of qualitative research. Collective case study involves more than one case, which may or may not be physically colocated with other cases. Saras case study provides an instructive example of case selection. Second, data collected in case studies are detailed, qualitative, and anecdotal, but are rarely systematically or quantitatively measured. The director or coordinator will think about all the cases, but a field researcher or data gatherer will concentrate on each single case almost as if it is the only one. Qualitative research, case study methods, epistemological foundations. By extension, this also implies that single case study analysis therefore remains an option for a multitude of ir theories and issue areas. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, university of maryland, college park. If the same study contains more than a single case, it is a multiple case design advantages evidence is considered more compelling overall study is therefore regarded as more robust disadvantages rationale for single case designs usually cannot be satisfied by multiple cases can require extensive resources and time. These types are factual, interpretative and evaluative. Typically, data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods e.
The popular point of view that a case study is characterised by a holistic approach is explained and discussed in section 1. The decision for a single firm as the empirical object of the study is also supported by similar past studies clulow et al. Case studies are based on an indepth investigation of a single individual, group or event to explore the causes of underlying principles. Case study research design and methods second edition.
An illustrative case study will examine an unfamiliar case in order to help others understand it. After having dismissed all of the previously mentioned proposals gerring arrives at a definition of a case study. The distinguishing factor of the casestudy methodology is that it aims to bring out unique characteristics and interesting differences in the situation under observation. As single case studies show critical points which can reduce their validity, hints for evaluating the evidence of single cases are given. 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. A single case can be a very powerful example, as is in the cases of a talking pig and in the case of phineas cage in the study of a special organization siggelkow 2007. The key commonality of these different caseoriented approaches is that the researcher makes an effort to understand each case included in the study separately, as an interpretable entity. Following this new theory generation, this article aims to vigorously advocate for a single case study and qualitative research design and methodology as one of.
However, in caseoriented work, individual cases are. Three approaches to case study methods in education. The case study approach is typically used for idiographic research, which means it focuses on atypical circumstances and distinctive outcomes as a subjective phenomenon. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Using interpretive qualitative case studies for exploratory. There are several different definitions and kinds of case studies.
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. Instead the selection of the cases for multiple case study is categorized. Case studies are indepth investigations of a single person, group, event or community. The singlecase experiment has a storied history in psychology dating back to the fields founders. In design of experiments, single subject design or single case research design is a research design most often used in applied fields of psychology, education, and human behavior in which the subject serves as hisher own control, rather than using another individualgroup. Researchers use single subject design because these designs are. The single case study is the most basic form of caseoriented research, but researchers may also conduct a series of case studies, each study building on the previous, or conduct simultaneous studies of several instances of the same phenomenon as in comparative research. The term case study, john gerring has suggested, is a definitional morass. Case study research has a long history within the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, dating back to the early 1920s. A case study is a descriptive and exploratory analysis of a person, group or event. Pdf the case study as a type of qualitative research researchgate. Jul 09, 2018 a case study is a research strategy and an empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon within its reallife context.
An instrumental case study is the study of a case e. The casestudy approach is typically used for idiographic research, which means it focuses on atypical circumstances and distinctive outcomes as a subjective phenomenon. Definition of case study case study method enables a researcher to closely examine the data within a specific context. Chapter 1 single cases a multicase study project as a whole will have its plan and organization, and so will the study of each individual case. Multiple case studies not just more data points april 9, 1999 3. Jul 05, 2014 the paper concludes that single case study analysis has a great deal to offer as a means of both understanding and explaining contemporary international relations. Developing a qualitative single case study in the strategic. Its aim is to give a detailed description of a case study its definition, some. 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.
The case study as a type of qualitative research 39 generalization upon the basis of an individual case is not possible. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, university of maryland. The primary objective of this qualitative single case study is to investigate how tangible resources create sources of sustainable competitive advantage for the study firm. The construction of theory with the help of case studies is a research strategy that involves the analysis of one or more cases to create theoretical constructs andor. The main function of a single case study lies with monitoring and controlling of therapeutic work, and its objectives pertain to proving both treatment integrity and efficacy. Psychology definition of single case experimental design. In the social and life sciences, a case study is a research method involving an upclose, indepth, and detailed examination of a particular case. Yin 1994 points out that case studies are the preferred strategy when how and why questions are posed. Although the quote is lengthy, homans 1950, as cited in gouldner, 1954 aptly. Besides discussing case study design, data collection, and analysis, the refresher addresses several key features of case study research. A definition of the case study is presented in section 1.
Case studies can deal with either single or multiple cases. This may be an individual person, family, group, or classroom. When a single case study is used, the researcher can question old theoretical relationships and explore new ones because of that a more careful study is made. The difference between a case study and single case designs.
The advantages and limitations of single case study analysis. A single case design is basically one where the subject serves as their own control group. A case study is expected to capture the complexity of a single case, and the. Case study is a research methodology, typically seen in social and life sciences. Case study, single case study, multiple case studies.
Case studies were one of the first types of research to be used in. Case study is one of the most frequently used qualitative research methodologies. An exploratory case study is a preliminary project that will be the precursor to a larger study in the future. The researcher needs to be able to define the uniqueness of this phenomenon which distinguishes it from all others. Case study, single case study, multiple case studies paper type. This study attempts to answer when to write a single case study and when to write a multiple case study. Mar 25, 2012 the difference between a case study and single case designs in this blog i will be describing case studies and single case designs, and discussing the differences between them. This study attempts to answer when to write a single case study and when to write a multiple case. The intrinsic case study is done to learn about a unique phenomenon which the study focuses on. Case study research has grown in reputation as an effective methodology to investigate and understand complex issues in real world settings. In most cases, a case study method selects a small geographical area or a very limited number of individuals as the subjects of study.
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. Case study design definition of case study design by. A collective case study may be conducted at one site e. The case study research method originated in clinical medicine the case history, i. Because of different reasons the case studies can be either single or multiple. It will further answer the benefits and disadvantages with the different types.
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