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. The discussion in the chapter is structured around the research design, population sampling, data collection and data analysis. Its aim is to give a detailed description of a case study its definition, some. May 07, 2014 case study a method to deeply observe the characteristics of individual unit such as a person, a group or a community, in order to analyse various phenomena in relation to that unit of study the study of the instance in action stenhouse 1999 states that the task of case study is to produce reports of experience and to offer evidence. The purpose of a survey or questionnaire is to gather statistical information from people about a topic. This study is inspire by jensen and rodgers 2001 identified taxonomy of case studies comprising five types as shown in image. An exploratory case study is a preliminary project that will be the precursor to a larger study in the future.
Research article building theories from case study research characteristic and critique. Case studies stories are told to make a point or teach a lesson. In this article, we explore the evolution of case study research, discuss methodological variations, and summarize key elements with the aim of providing guidance on the available options for researchers wanting to use case study in their work. Justification for use of the case study stake 1994 tersely argues that a case study is not a methodological choice, but a choice of the object to be studied. Siberia is a cold and barren place in northern russia, and it is considered the most difficult place to live in the world. As noted in chapter 1, the first subsection ofthe methodology section usually describes the subjects from whom data are collected. Types of case study all about case studies research methodology. Case study methodology ideally, to evaluate the empirical support for assertions about the benefits and costs of rule 23b3 class actions, we would select a statistically representative sample of class action lawsuits and measure key characteristics and outcomes of those lawsuits. Case study is an adequate, necessary method for certain research tasks in the.
We end with a summary of the common characteristics of case study research and a table that. Casebased learning web page defines the case method as a means of participatory and dialogical teaching and learning by group discussion of actual events and explains that cases are very successful at providing a context for abstract material. Chapter three dwells on various research designs, highlighting their main characteristics. Pdf case studies are used in design research to analyze a phenomenon, to generate. Here are 10 compelling characteristics of great case studies. To describe in brief the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, advantages, and importance of qualitative research. Descriptive research design definition, methods and examples. Case study is a small inclusive and intensive study of an individual in which investigators brings to bear their skills and method.
Qualitative case study methodology provides tools for researchers to study complex phenomena within their contexts. Writing case study methodology pdf is a complex skill for every student. This book is useful those students who offer the research methodology at post graduation and m. Choosing a research strategy strategy form of research question experiment survey archival analysis history case study how, why who, what, where, how many, how much who, what, where, how many, how much how, why how, why. Qualitative ppt characteristics of qualitative research. Case study method is based on several assumptions which may not be very realistic at times, and as such the usefulness of case data is always subject to doubt. Types of case study person the study of one single individual, generally using several different research methods. 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. In the literature on case study, different authors refer to case study as a method, a strategy and an.
The case study method is a very popular form of qualitative analysis and. A case study is a research methodology that has commonly used in social sciences. Case study is but one qualitative methodology, the output of which is the case study. Finally, case study, the chosen design for the current research will be discussed. The case study is a descriptive qualitative methodology. Case study a method to deeply observe the characteristics of individual unit such as a person, a group or a community, in order to analyse various phenomena in relation to that unit of study the study of the instance in action stenhouse 1999 states that the task of case study is to produce reports of experience and to offer evidence. Read all about research design definition, characteristics, and types. 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. The most challenging aspect of the application of case study research in this context is to lift the investigation from a descrip. Chapter 12 multiple choice questions the answers are. Case studies are based on an indepth investigation of a single individual, group or event to explore the causes of underlying principles. Copyright 2004, 1990, 1985, new age international p. The case study method embraces the full set of procedures needed to do case study research. It is a method of study in depth rather than breadth.
For each approach, i pose a definition, briefly trace its history, explore types of studies, introduce procedures involved in conducting a study, and indicate poten. When the approach is applied correctly, it becomes a valuable method for health science research to develop theory, evaluate programs, and develop interventions. These tasks include designing a case study, collecting the study s data, ana lyzing the data, and presenting and reporting the results. In fact, the study on risk factors for erysipelas pitche et al. Five qualitative approaches to inquiry i n this chapter, we begin our detailed exploration of narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case studies. The manner in which subjects are selected has important implications for identiwng factors that affect subject performance and for. Due to as narrow focuses a case study has limited representatives and generalization is impossible. Mel is putting together a case study, or detailed analysis of a single person or group and its relationship to a phenomenon. Which of the following is characteristic of qualitative research.
After deciding to adopt a case study approach and considering the data collec. The case study places more emphasis on the full analysis of a limited number of events or conditions. 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. Definitions and characteristics of high quality research surveys and questionnaires definition. Chapter one is an introduction, presenting an overview of the research methodology. For the researcher new to using case study, such variety can create a confusing platform for its application. Definition of a case study a case study is a holistic inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its. Aug 03, 2015 a case study can be a couple of paragraphs or 20 pages or more. Case studies may differ in length, depth of research and market situation, but great case studies share similarities. Case study is a comprehensive study of a social unit, be it a person, a group of persons, an institution, a community or a family.
Thus, it is important to remember that the nature of the study casecontrol or cohort depends on the sampling method. Jul 09, 2018 a case study is a research methodology that has commonly used in social sciences. Environmental protection agency to characterize municipal solid. Location this type of study focuses on a place, and how and why people use the place for example, many case studies have been done about siberia, and the people who live there. May 05, 2014 all about case study, types, characteristics and other details 1. Commentary open access the case study approach sarah crowe1, kathrin cresswell2, ann robertson2, guro huby3, anthony avery1 and aziz sheikh2 abstract the case study approach allows indepth, multifaceted explorations of complex issues in their reallife settings. Overemphasising and defending established methodologies may result in researchers paying insufficient attention to the substantive findings of social reality. Distinguishing case study as a research method from case. This methodology focuses more on the what of the research subject rather than the why of the research subject. 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. Also learn about the reasons to use descriptive research and its disadvantages. Besides discussing case study design, data collection, and analysis, the refresher addresses several key features of case study research. The important characteristics of the case study method are as under.
Pdf qualitative case study methodology provides tools for researchers to. Characteristics of the case study overall, few sources have looked at the case study as a research method distinguishable from other qualitative research strategies. Location the study of a particular place, and the way that it is used or regarded by people. Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and. In research methodology this is the important part to grow knowledge so today we discuss about the case study. Robert stake 1998 points out that crucial to case study research are not the methods of investigation, but that the object of study is a case. Case study method can be used only in a limited sphere. Pdf case studies are used in design research to analyze a phenomenon, to generate hypotheses, and to validate a method. View of case study as a research method for analyzing moocs.
For example, probert 2006 was trying to choose one wellestablished qualitative methodology in her research project. Instead of gathering a large volume of data to identify patterns across time or location, case studies gather detailed data to identify the characteristics of a narrowly defined subject. The causal case study will look for causeandeffect relationships, and search for explanatory theories of the phenomena. Chapter 12 multiple choice questions the answers are provided after the last question. To select such a sample we first would have to construct a. The case study is, more often than not, embedded within. A case study can be a couple of paragraphs or 20 pages or more. Copyright 2004, 1990, 1985, new age international p ltd. Chapter two explains the technique of defining a research problem. Ethical considerations and measures to provide trustworthiness are also discussed. Case study as a qualitative methodology is an exploration of a time and spacebound phenomenon.
What case study is different forms of qualitative traditions exist and the design of research within each has distinct features cresswell, 98. Group the study of a single distinctive set of people, such as a family or small group of friends. Purposeful sampling is generally used in case study research. A case study can be used to describe the characteristics of a specific subject such as a person, group, event or organization. Qualitative ppt characteristics of qualitative research free download as powerpoint presentation. Sampling is also not possible under a case study method. As qualitative research, case studies require much more from their authors who are acting as instruments within the inquiry process. In which of the following case study designs does the. The event is understood as an integrated system in operation, why it requires an analysis that gets interpret and reconstruct the system. Note whether the case in question is a deviant or extreme case, a critical case, a convenience case, a politically significant case, and so on.
Msw characterization methodology introduction this fact sheet and these data tables are the most recent in a series of reports and data tables sponsored by the u. Any classification is not possible due to studying a small unit. All about case study, types, characteristics and other details 1. Case study method in research methodology in research. Case study methodology would generally be low in internal validity due to the absence of experimental controls, but high in external validity and would provide. Qualitative research method case study history please click on the arrows to view content. Descriptive research is defined as a research method that describes the characteristics of the population or phenomenon that is being studied. Case study research forum qualitative sozialforschung forum. Types of case study all about case studies research. A distinctive analysis of case study, action research and. Not only students are intimate to the writing skills a lot of people are also eager to write a good article.
When the approach is applied correctly, it becomes a valuable method for health science research to. If we sample the study participants based on exposure and move towards the outcome, it is a cohort study. Qualitative research methods overview t his module introduces the fundamental elements of a qualitative approach to research, to help you understand and become proficient in the qualitative methods discussed in subse. An illustrative case study will examine an unfamiliar case in order to help others understand it. Study design and implementation for novice researchers abstract qualitative case study methodology provides tools for researchers to study complex phenomena within their contexts. Case study method may have the errors of memory and judgment. Learn more about the characteristics, methods, examples and disadvantages of descriptive research. Study design and implementation for novice researchers article pdf available in qualitative report 4 january 2010 with 151,9 reads how we measure reads. For example, a case study of a veteran with ptsd can be used to help new therapists better understand what veterans experience.
The purpose of this paper is to guide the novice researcher in identifying the key elements for designing and. Chapter four presents the details of several sampling designs. A case study is a research strategy and an empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon within its reallife context. This may not always be the case so you may wish to see if you can negotiate informally about some flexibility in your working commitments. Research design is a framework of methods and techniques chosen by a researcher to combine various components of research in a reasonably logical manner so that the research problem is efficiently handled. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group. 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. Actually, they need it to be in order to successfully go through college. All about case study, types, characteristics and other details. Pdf the case study as a type of qualitative research researchgate. Characteristics of a good case study teaching commons. 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. 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. Definitions and characteristics of high quality research final.