Products

About

©2018 StudyMode.com

Case Study

Topics: Scientific method, Case study, Qualitative research Pages: 11 (372 words) Published: January 23, 2015
Case Study

Case study methods
involve




Systematically gathering enough information
about a particular person, social setting, event,
or group to permit the researcher to effectively
understand how it operates or functions.
Case studies may focus on an individual, a
group, or an entire community and may utilize
a number of data technologies such as life
stories, documents, oral histories, in-depth
interviews, and participant observation.

Types of case studies
Stake (1995) suggests that researchers
have different purposes for studying
cases. He suggests that case studies
can be classified into three different
types: intrinsic, instrumental, and
collective

Intrinsic case studies




Intrinsic case studies are undertaken when
researcher wants to better understand a
particular case.
It is not undertaken primarily because it
represents other cases or because it
illustrates some particular trait,
characteristic, or problem. Rather, it is
because of its uniqueness or ordinariness
that a case becomes interesting.

Instrumental case studies
Instrumental case studies provide
insights into an issue or refine a
theoretical explanation.
 The intention is to assist the
researcher to better understand some
external theoretical question or
problem.


Collective case studies
Collective case studies involve
extensive study of several
instrumental cases.
 The selection of cases is intended to
allow better understanding or perhaps
enhanced ability to theorize about a
broader context.


Case study design types


There are different appropriate
designs for case studies according to
Yin (1994) and Winston (1997). These
include exploratory, explanatory, and
descriptive case studies.

Exploratory case studies
In exploratory case studies, fieldwork,
and data collection may be undertaken
prior to definition of the research
questions and hypotheses.
 This type of study has been
considered as a prelude to some
social research.


Explanatory case studies




Explanatory cases are suitable for doing
causal studies.
In very complex and multivariate cases, the
analysis can make use of pattern-matching
techniques, which is a situation where
several pieces of information from the same
case may be related to some theoretical
proposition.

Descriptive case studies


Descriptive cases require that the
investigator begin with a descriptive
theory, which establishes the overall
framework for the investigator to follow
throughout the study.

The scientific benefits of
case studies


The scientific benefit of the case study
lies in its ability to open the way for
discoveries.

Continue Reading

Please join StudyMode to read the full document

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Psyc 255 Case Study paper

    ... How to conduct and complete a Case Study Kimberly M Asbury Liberty University Introduction In this paper, the definition and description of what a case study is, what are some reasons for using a case study, what are some disadvantages and advantages of this approach? Also included in this paper I will talk about what are some of the ways a researcher can acquire information that can is used for a case study. A case study can be defined as a descriptive account of the behavior, history, and other relevant factors concerning a particular individual (Cozby, Bates, 2012). What is a Case Study? A case study is an intensive type of research that involves a process in which detailed information is collected over a period of time. The case study method can be accurately understood as a specific way of defining cases, not a way of analyzing cases (Gerring, 2004). A further characteristic of how a case study works is that multiple methods of collecting data can be used (Pegram, 2000). A case study is designed to provide testing whether theories work in the real world. Case study research stands for CSR. A...

    Read More
    927 Words 5 Pages
  • Case Study

    ...Introduction Case studies are an important research method in areas where innovations are studied. They enable us to study contemporary and complex social phenomena in their natural context. Over the years researchers working from both epistemological perspectives have addressed important methodological issues. A case study is expected to capture the complexity of a single case, and the methodology which enables this has developed not only in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and economics, but also in practice-oriented fields such as environmental studies, business studies, social work and Counselling. (Yin 1994) Croty (1998, p2) explains that there are four questions which are basic elements of any research process. What methods do we propose to use? What methodology governs our choice and use of methods? What theoretical perspective lies behind the methodology in question? What epistemology informs this theoretical perspective? This paper is written to present the case study as a research approach, showing that its characterization is not an easy task, due mainly to its many different approaches and applications. In order to demonstrate its application, I have indicated its most common advantages and disadvantages, stressing the important role played by the researcher, who must be careful...

    Read More
    1916 Words 7 Pages
  • Case Study Essay

    ...Introduction to Case Study by Winston Tellis+ The Qualitative Report, Volume 3, Number 2, July, 1997 (http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR3-2/tellis1.html) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract This paper is the first of a series of three articles relating to a case study conducted at Fairfield University to assess aspects of the rapid introduction of Information Technology at the institution. This article deals with the nature of the problem faced by Fairfield University, the characteristics of the case methodology, and lays the foundation for the selection of this research technique for the current study. The paper begins with an Introduction section to familiarize the reader with the case organization. The following section on Case Methodology explores the history, and some of the applications of the technique. The section ends with specific research protocols for researchers. Introduction Fairfield University is a private liberal arts institution of about 3,000 full time undergraduate students and about 1,000 graduate school students. The undergraduate students are distributed through the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Nursing. The graduate students are in the Graduate School of Education, the School of Business, and the School of Nursing. There are also...

    Read More
    5969 Words 20 Pages
  • Application of a Case Study Methodology Essay

    ...Application of a Case Study Methodology by Winston Tellis+ The Qualitative Report, Volume 3, Number 3, September, 1997 (http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR3-3/tellis2.html) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract In the preceding article (Tellis, 1997), the goals and objectives were presented and explained in detail. In this article, the methodology to accomplish those goals and objectives will be examined. The reader will become familiar with the specific techniques that are used in the current study, and supported by the literature that was reviewed in the previous article. That methodology will follow the recommendation of Yin (1994) and has four stages: Design the case study, Conduct the case study, Analyze the case study evidence, and Develop the conclusions, recommendations and implications. The article begins with an introduction, that includes some of the background information that is intended to inform the reader. Following that section, each step of the methodology will be explored in detail. Finally a summary will connect all the information in a concise manner. Introduction Case study is an ideal methodology when a holistic, in-depth investigation is needed (Feagin, Orum, & Sjoberg, 1991). Case studies...

    Read More
    7514 Words 29 Pages
  • Case Study Notes Essay

    ...A case study is an empirical enquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon in depth and within its real-life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident. The 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. Performing a case study entails: Literature Review Posing research questions formal and explicit procedures Protecting against threats to validity Maintaining “chain of evidence” Investigating and testing rival explanations In advance of doing a case study: Define the “case” being studied Determine relevant data to be collected What to do with data once collected Decide: Exploratory, Descriptive or Explanatory research purposes? How to choose a research method given a research question type: How, Why: Experiment iff controllable events, else history or case study Who, What, Where, How Many, How Much: Survey, Archival Analysis Case...

    Read More
    1141 Words 6 Pages
  • Case study paper

    ... Case Study and What It Means to Me LaTonya L. Crumwell Liberty University Author Note LaTonya L. Crumwell is a Psychology/Life Coach major at Liberty University Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to LaTonya L. Crumewell Contact:lcrumwell@liberty.edu Abstract This paper gives meaning to the word case study. It will help with understanding some reasons it is used as well as advantages and disadvantages of case study use. Most of the information given will come from the study in the book, Methods in Behavioral Research by Cozby and Bates (2012), as well as online research results by Saul McLeod (2008). Many definitions from on line and text may differ but will be cited within for verification. Keywords: Case Study Case study and What it Means to me Defined by Text and Online There are many different types of case studies that can be used when doing research. Depending on the need is how one must determine which study is best for the situation and information they are trying to find out. To know which case study is best you much make sure you know the definition of them and apply them to your research. When choosing a case study one much make sure that they pick the best one or the...

    Read More
    759 Words 7 Pages
  • Study Guide Essay

    ...The Qualitative Report Volume 13 Number 4 December 2008 544-559 http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR13-4/baxter.pdf Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and Implementation for Novice Researchers Pamela Baxter and Susan Jack McMaster University, West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Qualitative case study methodology provides tools for researchers to study complex phenomena within their contexts. When the approach is applied correctly, it becomes a valuable method for health science research to develop theory, evaluate programs, and develop interventions. The purpose of this paper is to guide the novice researcher in identifying the key elements for designing and implementing qualitative case study research projects. An overview of the types of case study designs is provided along with general recommendations for writing the research questions, developing propositions, determining the “case” under study, binding the case and a discussion of data sources and triangulation. To facilitate application of these principles, clear examples of research questions, study propositions and the different types of case study designs are provided. Key Words: Case Study and Qualitative Methods Introduction To graduate...

    Read More
    6634 Words 26 Pages
  • Case Study Essay

    ...Case Studies Definition: A case study is an in-depth study of one person. Much of Freud's work and theories were developed through individual case studies. In a case study, nearly every aspect of the subject's life and history is analyzed to seek patterns and causes for behavior. The hope is that learning gained from studying one case can be generalized to many others. Unfortunately, case studies tend to be highly subjective and it is difficult to generalize results to a larger population. Types of Case Studies * Explanatory: Used to do causal investigations. * Exploratory: A case study that is sometimes used as a prelude to further, more in-depth research. This allows researchers to gather more information before developing their research questions and hypotheses. * Descriptive: Involves starting with a descriptive theory. The subjects are then observed and the information gathered is compared to the pre-existing theory. * Intrinsic: A type of case study in which the researcher has a personal interest in the case. * Collective: Involves studying a group of individuals. * Instrumental: Occurs when the individual or group allows researchers to understand more than what is initially...

    Read More
    442 Words 2 Pages

Popular Essays

Become a StudyMode Member

Sign Up - It's Free