Methods Statement Outline: Case Study
I. Definition of Case Study
A. General Definition
1. Definitions from the Literature
2. Working Definition
B. Case Study as Research Method
C. When to Use Case Study
II. Types of Case Studies
A. Single-Case Designs
1. Holistic (single unit of analysis)
2. Embedded (multiple units of analysis)
B. Multiple-Case Designs
1. Holistic (single unit of analysis)
2. Embedded (multiple units of analysis)
C. Categories of Case Studies
1. Exploratory
2. Descriptive
3. Explanatory
4. Interpretive
5. Evaluative
6. Intrinsic
7. Instrumental
8. Collective
9. Illustrative
10. Cumulative
11. Critical Instance
III. Designing a Case Study
A. Research Design
B. Data Collection
1. Collecting Textual Evidence
a. Documentation
b. Archival Records
2. Conducting Interviews
3. Observation
a. Direct
b. Participant
4. Physical Artifacts
C. Data Analysis
1. Pattern Matching
2. Explanation Building
3. Time-Series Analysis
4. Logic Models
5. Cross-Case Synthesis
IV. Advantages and Disadvantages of Case Study
A. Validity
1. Construct Validity
2. Internal Validity
3. External Validity
B. Reliability
C. Manageability
D. Rigor
E. Flexibility
F. Generalizability
G. Ethical Considerations
Case and Case Study Definitions & Initial Notes
Yin, 2014, pp 16-17:
- A case study is an empirical inquiry that
- Investigates a contemporary phenomenon (the “case”) in depth and within its real-world context, especially when
- The boundaries between phenomenon and context may not be clearly evident.
- A case study inquiry
- Copes with the technically distinctive situation in which there will be many more variables of interest than data points, and as one result
- Relies on multiple sources of evidence, with data needing to converge in a triangulating fashion, and as another result
- Benefits from the prior development of theoretical propositions to guide data collection and analysis
Gerring, 2004, p. 342
An intensive study of a single unit for the purpose of understanding a larger class of (similar) units. A unit connotes a spatially bounded phenomenon—e.g., a nation-state, revolution, political party, election, or person—observed at a single point in time or over some delimited period of time.
Eisenhardt, 1989, p. 534
A research strategy which focuses on understanding the dynamics present within single settings.
Lee, 1989, pp. 119-120
“organizational case study” is (1) the intensive study of a single case, where (2) the case consists of the entire configuration of individuals, grous, and social structure in the setting of an organization, and (3) the case researchers passively observes the rich details of events in the way that they naturally unfold in their natural, organizational setting.
Baxter & Jack, 2008, p. 545
Case study takes constructivist approach.
Ragin & Becker, 1992, p. 3
The term “case” is one of many basic methodological constructs that have become distorted or corrupted over time. The typical pattern is for a key methodological term to gain multiple and sometimes contradictory meanings. (p. 6) Researchers probably will not know what their cases are until the research, including the task of writing up the results is virtually completed. What it is a case of will coalesce gradually, sometimes catalytically, and the final realization of the case’s nature may be the most important part of the interaction between ideas and evidence. (p. 9) see Table I.1 about how researches answer “what is a case?”
Masoner, 1988, p. 2
A case contains episodic information. Uses problem-specific (situational) knowledge.
Case study is a basic design that can accommodate a variety of disciplinary perspectives, as well as philosophical perspectives on the nature of research itself. A case study can test theory or build theory, incorporate random or purposive sampling, and include quantitative and qualitative data. (p. 7) . . . a case study concentrates on many, if not all, the variables present in a single unit. (p. 9) . . . a case study is an examination of a specific phenomenon such as a program, an event, a person, a process, an institution, or a social group. (p. 10) . . . the case is identified as a bounded system. (p. 11) characteristics of a case study: particularistic, descriptive, heuristic, and inductive. (p. 14) . . . the uniqueness of a case study lies not so much in the methods employed (although these are important) as in the questions asked and their relationship to the end product. (p. 15) Case study research is not the same as casework, case method, case history, or case record. (p. 16) . . . the qualitative case study can be defined as an intensive, holistic description and analysis of a single entity, phenomenon, or social unit. (p. 16) . . . in a qualitative approach to research the paramount objective is to understand the meaning of an experience . . . and strives to understand how all the parts work together to form a whole. (p. 17) idea of multiple realities/subjective
Feagin et al., 1991, p. 2
A case study is here defined as an in-depth, multifaceted investigation, using qualitative research methods, of a single social phenomenon. The study is conducted in great detail and often relies on the use of several data sources.
Gillham, 2000, pp. 1-2
A case study investigates the following in order to answer specific research questions, and seeks a range of different kinds of evidence (which is there in the case setting, and has to be abstracted and collated to get the best possible answers to the research questions:
- A unit of human activity embedded in the real world;
- Which can only be studied or understood in context;
- Which exists in the here and now;
- That merges in with its context so that precise boundaries are difficult to draw.
No one kind or source of evidence is likely to be sufficient (or sufficiently valid) on its own.
George & Bennett, 2005, p. 5
The detailed examination of an aspect of a historical episode to develop or test historical explanations that may be generalizable to other events.
Bibliography of potential resources
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