Case Study

Case Study

1. Defining Case Studies

   • researcher explores a bounded system ( a case) or cases over time.
     • done through detailed, in-depth data collection
       • involves multiple sources of info
         • reports a case description and case based themes

2. Types of Case Studies

   • Collection/Multiple Case Study
     • one issue or concern but multiple case studies to illustrate issue
   • Single, instumental case study
     • one issue or concern and chooses one case
   • Intrinsic Case Study
     • Focus on case not the issue. case represents

3. Procedure

   • it is the besy approach when researcher seeds to provide an in-depth understanding of the cases or a comparison of several cases
   • Identification of cases
   • Type of Data Collection - multiple
   • Type of Analysis
     • Holistic Analysis - whole case
     • Embedded Analysis - specific aspect of the case
     • 4 general strategies
       • deductive top down
       • inductive - bottom up
       • developing a case description
       • examining plausible rival explanations
   • interpretation - report meaning of the case

4. Challenges of Case Study

   • Identifying the case
     • you have to have a clear rationale for this purposeful sampling strategy
       • Deciding boundaries in terms of time, evens and processes - may pose a challenge
         • Might not have a clear beginning and ending points and researcher needs to set boundaries that adequately surround the case.