2. What is a Case Study?
Case study is a qualitative
research approach in which
researchers focus on a unit of
study known as a bounded system.
3. Case Study Definitions
Case study is not a methodological choice but a
choice of what is to be studied. (Stake)
An investigation of phenomenon that occurs
within a specific context. (Miles & Huberman)
Case study is a research strategy that is an all-
encompassing method covering design, data
collection techniques, and specific approaches to
data analysis. (Yin)
4. Case Study is
A qualitative approach to studying a
phenomenon
Focus on a unit of study, or a bounded
system
Not a methodological choice but a choice of
what to study
An all-encompassing research method
5. When to Use the Case Study Research
Approach
A case study research method is
appropriate when the researcher wants
to answer a descriptive question such
as what happened? Or an explanatory
question how and why did something
happen?
6. Types of Case Study
There are three types of case study
commonly accepted.
1. Intrinsic Case Study
2. Single Instrumental Case Study
3. Multiple Collective Case Study
7.
8.
9. Single Case Study
Also named ‘Instrumental’ case study
Focuses on one issue
One bounded case is used to illustrate the
issue
Provides insight to an issue
Helps to refine a theory
10. Multiple Case Study
Also named ‘Collective’ case study
Focus on one issue or concern
Illustrate the issue
Explore differences within and between
cases
11. Intrinsic Case Study
Focuses on the case itself
The case presents an unusual or unique
situation
Try to better understand the case
13. Particularistic Phenomenon
A case study researcher may
specifically choose a particular
instance of phenomenon under
investigation to understand a specific
problem that occurs in everyday
practice.
14. Descriptive Phenomenon
Descriptive phenomenon means
that the end result of the case
study, the narrative, includes
‘thick description’ of the
phenomenon, including many
variables and analyses of the
interactions.
15. Heuristic Phenomenon
Heuristic refers to the fact that
case studies ‘illuminate the
readers’ understanding of the
phenomenon under study’ beyond
the readers’ original knowledge.
16. Case Study in Terms of Disciplines
Anthropology
History
Psychology
Sociology
17. How to Apply Case Study Research
Think through the different types and purposes of case study and the
origins from which each stems. This should strengthen how you justify
the type you choose.
Decide what kind of case study you will conduct for what purpose and
what issues and questions it will help you address.
Demonstrate and awareness of any potential difficulties you might
encounter and how you address these in your research.
Do not spend too much time arguing why you have not chosen other
research approaches. This may be helpful to a degree. However, the
more important point is to present a convincing argument for why
case study is most appropriate for your research topic.
18.
19. Designing a Case Study Research
Determine the Research question
Define the case under study
Determine the role of theory development in case
selection.
Determine the theoritical and conceptual framework of
the case study.
Determine whether a single case study, a multiple case
study or a collective case study is appropriate.
21. Screening Procedure
Review documents about the proposed case study site to
determine whether or not it is an appropiate choice
Conduct informal interviews of key participants in the
study to determine their willingness to participate in the
study and to ensure that hey fully understand the nature
of their commitment.
Determine whether the case study participants have the
necessary experience and knowledge of the phenomenon
under investigation and the ability to provide information.
24. Cross Site Analysis Strategies
Unordered Meta Matrix
Site Ordered Descriptive Matrix
Site Ordered Predictor Outcome Matrix
Time Ordered Meta Matrix
Scatterplot
Site Ordered Effects Matrix
Causal Models
25. Cross Site Analysis Strategies
Unordered Meta Matrix: is a data
management tool that enables the
case study researcher to assemble
master charts with descriptive
data from each site on one large
sheet of paper.
26. Cross Site Analysis Strategies
Site Ordered Descriptive Matrix:
sites are ordered in a variable of
interest so that the researcher can
see differences.
27. Cross Site Analysis Strategies
Site Ordered Predictor Outcome
Matrix: moves the case study
researcher from working
descriptively/deductively to a more
explanatory/interpretive mode.
28. Time Ordered Meta Matrix
Time Ordered Meta Matrix extends
the cross site data analysis to
include chronology as an
organizing variable.
30. Scatterplots
A scatter plot (Chambers 1983)
reveals relationships or association
between two variables. Such
relationships manifest themselves
by any non-random structure in
the plot.
32. Cross Site Analysis Strategies
Site Ordered Effects Matrix is used
by case study researchers to sort
through the research sites and to
display probable cause and effect
relations.
33. Cross Site Analysis Strategies
Casual Models extend the case study
analysis and assist the case study
researcher to identify how things go
together.
34. Strengths
Case study enables the experience to be studied and interpreted in
depth.
Case study is flexible.
Case studies are inaccessible in language, audiences directly observe
events and accidents.
Case study is useful for understanding and exploring the process.
Case study has dynamics of change, especially in ‘real life settings’.
Case study has the potential to engage participants in the study.
Case study can include a range of methods, whatever is most
appropriate in understanding the case.
It can explain how and why things happen.
35. Potential Limitations
The subjectivity of the researcher is an inevitable part of
the frame.
Audiences cannot capture the reality as lived.
There are a number of ways to make inferences from a
case or cases that are applicable to other contexts.
The findings are dependant on that very unique subject.
39. References
Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Yin, R. K. (2003). Case study research: Design and methods (3rd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Gerring, J. (2005) Case Study Research. New York: Cambridge University Press.
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