It’s an empirical inquiry and research strategy that is based on an in-depth investigation of a group, event, or individual to … [26] Research methods should be chosen appropriately to conduct a thorough investigation. Case study research has grown in reputation as an effective methodology to investigate and understand complex issues in real world settings. Case studies can be used to establish where the problem originates by utilizing several research methods. [9][13] Each of these four approaches has its areas of application, but it is important to understand their unique ontological and epistemological assumptions. [24] Alexander George and Andrew Bennett argue that case studies are very useful in situations of causal complexity where there is equifinality, complex interaction effects and path dependency. These types of case study include the following: Some cases study marketing analysis to ensure a full understanding of the effects on an organization. It is a method of study in depth rather than breadth. A case study is basically an in-depth examination of a particular event, situation or an individual. However, it is recognized widely in different social studies. According to its design, case studies in business research can be divided into … Rather, they provide extensive data that can be used to develop new hypotheses that can be used for further research. The purpose of an illustrative case study is to make what is considered unfamiliar familiar. In business research, that means collecting evidence about that phenomenon where it is actually taking place, for example in a company, in a country or even in a university. Generally, a case can be nearly any unit of analysis, including individuals, organizations, events, or actions. That’s because it enables researchers to provide in-depth explanations of different social behaviors. It can also be used to challenge or question universal or highly generalized assertions. (2004), This page was last edited on 9 December 2020, at 02:39. [33], In all these disciplines, case studies were an occasion for postulating new theories, as in the grounded-theory work of sociologists Barney Glaser (1930- ) and Anselm Strauss (1916-1996). What are the most effective ways for small businesses to plan their advertising budget? [44][45] Business school faculty generally develop case studies with particular learning objectives in mind. Case studies are in-depth investigations of a single person, group, event or community. The main difference between action research and case study is their purpose; an action research study aims to solve an immediate problem whereas a case study aims to provide an in-depth analysis of a situation or case over a long period of time. Maybe you want to know what it involves. But, the most common case study research method starts with the definition of a single case. b. In social studies, the case study is a research method in which a phenomenon is investigated in its real-life context. Case studies aim to analyze specific issues within the boundaries of a specific environment, situation or organization. [23] While random selection of cases is a valid case selection strategy in large-N research, there is a consensus among scholars that it risks generating serious biases in small-N research. A case study is a research method common in social science. ... as one of the methods of choice for measuring the impact of health research. Your email address will not be published. In some cases, a multiple-case design can be used. [34], One of the areas in which case studies have been gaining popularity is education and in particular educational evaluation. Case study research is usually defined as follows: A case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon Similarly, teaching case studies have become increasingly popular in science education. [38], Case studies have commonly been seen as a fruitful way to come up hypotheses and generate theories. Case studies may involve both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Your email address will not be published. An exploratory case study is a preliminary project that will be the precursor to a larger study in the future. Both definitions often refer to the sociological kinds of science. Nevertheless, it’s an intensive and systematic investigation of a group, community, individuals, or other units where the researchers examine in-depth data that relate to several variables. respect to a type of research method: Case Study Definition: A case study is a study involving descriptive information about one person. The goal is to collect past studies to enhance generalization without spending more time or cost on new and probably repetitive studies. Case study methodology in research generates context-dependent knowledge of accounts of practice which should be explored and studied analytically. [41] The concepts used in qualitative research will tend to have higher conceptual validity than concepts used in quantitative research (due to conceptual stretching: the unintentional comparison of dissimilar cases). That’s because they use several records or measures while focusing on a single subject. This method is useful for answering cause and effect questions. The common view that good case study research lacks a method is unwarranted.2 On the assumption that greater dialogue across research communities is facilitated by greater familiarity, I summarize some important developments in qualitative methodology. 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