Case+Study+Research

=Case Study Research (Research Methods) (GWU EMSE 216-8000)=

Index | Topics | Lectures | Course Work | Reference

"A **case study** is a [|research] methodology common in [|social science]. It is based on an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event. Case studies may be descriptive or explanatory. The latter type is used to explore causation in order to find underlying principles." ([|Wikipedia]) "The case study method is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the complexities related to a particular case." (Seward 2007, p3)

In his introduction, Seward differentiaties between purely a case study and a qualitative case study to define "a qualitative case study as an intensive analysis of the qualities of a unit in relation to its development and environment." (Seward 2007, p1) It is also important to note that "that teaching case studies" used in education "are an abbreviated rendition of events meant to relate only important points whereas the case study as a research method is meant to encompass all facets related to a particular case. (Seward 2007, p2)

"Rather than using samples and following a rigid protocol (strict set of rules) to examine limited number of variables, case study methods involve an in-depth, longitudinal (over a long period of time) examination of a single instance or event: a **case**. They provide a systematic way of looking at events, collecting [|data], analyzing [|information], and reporting the results. As a result the researcher may gain a sharpened understanding of why the instance happened as it did, and what might become important to look at more extensively in future research. Case studies lend themselves to both generating and testing [|hypotheses].[|[3]]

"Another suggestion is that **case study** should be defined as a **research strategy**, an empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon within its real-life context. Case study research means single and multiple case studies, can include quantitative evidence, relies on multiple sources of evidence and benefits from the prior development of theoretical propositions. Case studies should not be confused with [|qualitative research] and they can be based on any mix of quantitative and qualitative evidence. [|Single-subject research] provides the statistical framework for making inferences from quantitative case-study data.[|[2]][|[4]] This is also supported and well-formulated in (Lamnek, 2005): "The case study is a research approach, situated between concrete data taking techniques and methodologic paradigms." - [|Wikipedia]

Yin identifies 3 types of case studies: Exploratory, Descriptive and Explanatory. (Seward 2007, p4)


 * **Background:** "A case study, is a relatively new method for research in that it was primarily developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It originated as a method used in medical research in the late nineteenth century but was adopted and further developed into its modern form by sociologists and anthropologists in the early twentieth century (Creswell 2007, 73). Today the case study method is primarily used as a research tool by social scientists and educators." (Seward 2007, p2)
 * ** Appropriate uses of the method, including examples: **
 * "Because case study research often relies heavily upon the observation of events as well as interviews with participants, it is generally limited to studying events that have occurred recently." (Seward 2007, p3)
 * ** Details of the method: **
 * ** Strengths, limitations and problems associated with use of the method: **
 * "The types of questions typically addressed by case study research are to investigate how or why factors influence the case under study." (Seward 2007, p3)
 * "Another constraint of the case study method is that the factors that impact the case under study are not under the control of the researcher (Yin 1984, 17)." (Seward 2007, p3)
 * "Conclusions about interactions only through observation and logic." (Seward 2007, p3)
 * ** Potential EMSE Uses: **
 * "Facetsof engineering management that are particularly focused on the behavior of people and organizations. (Seward 2007, p2)
 * Draw more from Seward p?
 * Draw more from Seward p?


 * Sources**
 * EMSE 8000, Spring 2011
 * Case study. (2011, January 27). In //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Retrieved 14:49, January 29, 2011, from []
 * Steward, Scott (2007) A Guide to the Use of a Qualitative Case Study as a Research Method, A Term Paper submitted to Dr. Julie Ryan for EMSE 216, Fall 2007

Contributors: Sisson