Conducting a case study is one of the go-to approaches being used in qualitative research. Throughout the years, it’s been utilized in various fields of social science. Deciding to use it is highly beneficial under the proper situation, mainly when it’s not feasible to hold an experiment.
This article will discuss the primary features of a case study in research. Continue reading to learn more.
Case study 101
You may have reached the point of asking, ‘What is a case study in research?’
A case study involves the study of a specific person, group, place, or event, among other cases. It’s a detailed undertaking in almost every facet of the subject’s personal account and history, analyzing patterns and phenomena. It allows researchers to look at a unique case and gather exhaustive data about it.
Remember that case studies aim to unearth as much detail as possible about a subject. The goal is for the data garnered to be generalized. They’re suitable for educational, social, and clinical research, among other fields, wherein the nature is qualitative. Resources like a guide to qualitative research can offer valuable insights into this realm.
To describe, understand, and evaluate the research is what case studies are all about. And while it’s widely used in different studies, it tends to be subjective, so it’s important to be discerning in this method to limit biases.
However, there are also instances wherein qualitative research is mixed with quantitative research to make the study more well-rounded. This is called mixed methods research.
Case study types
Case studies vary based on what the researcher sees applicable to the subject at hand. Here are the different types:
- Descriptive. This observes the subject then comes up with a detailed portrayal of the case, emphasizing its attributes while comparing it to an existing theory.
- Exploratory. This is done when a specific situation or subject has little to no information available. The researcher explores the case to generate hypotheses for further research.
- Explanatory. This takes a look at how certain factors cause something to happen. Researchers examine the variables at play to garner insights into the mechanisms and dynamics at play.
- Intrinsic. This focuses on subjects perceived as unusual or rare, so researchers seek to study them to provide significant contributions to the body of knowledge.
- Instrumental. This unearths the subject in question to gain a deeper understanding beyond what meets the eye, as well as to see how it connects with broader theories.
- Collective. This involves studying multiple cases to come up with a conclusion. Researchers could look at specific groups in a distinct setting or community. They compare and contrast the cases to draw themes or patterns.
The type of case study to be employed all boils down to what’s most suitable for the study. Nonetheless, some considerations are the research question to be answered and the availability of data and resources, among others.
Conducting a case study
A case study is something you want to consider if you’re aiming for concrete and contextualized information about a specific subject. This is because it enables you to know its characteristics and underlying meanings.
If you’re conducting market research, for instance, case studies can help you explore how customers benefit from specific products or services. This strategy proves to be effective as 87% of marketers will continue to invest in case studies, as per a recent report.
The following are steps when conducting a case study:
1. Identify the case
As you develop your research questions, you should back those up by identifying a case you want to study. Identify one that has the chance of bringing new ideas into the subject, contesting the stereotype around it and providing opportunities for future research.
Case studies have a theory connected to them most of the time. Yours should complement existing studies about a subject by exemplifying a theory, expanding it by coming up with new concepts, and challenging it by redefining existing assumptions.
2. Collect your data
Gain thorough context and understanding of the case. Gather data through observing, interviewing, and analyzing secondary sources such as newspapers and archival records. As a rule of thumb, researchers should capitalize on multiple data sources to ensure the reliability and validity of findings.
3. Describe and analyze the case
Writing up a case study entails reporting all the significant parts of the subject matter. How you describe it varies according to the kind of research you’re undertaking. Some are organized like a thesis with separate chapters while others are structured like a narrative to let the meaning be wholly revealed.
Nevertheless, see to it that you clearly provide enough context about the case and relate it with the theory and literature.
Conclusion
A case study proves to be valuable when it comes to encapsulating the essence of a complex matter. By using this in research, scholars can advance knowledge in their areas of expertise.
Peter Cruz
Peter Cruz writes blogs on anything research – down from the basics to the most effective practices for advancing various fields of knowledge. He loves spending time with his family, playing basketball, and catching up with his buddies.
