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Case Study Research Method

Case studies aim to illuminate decisions by understanding why they were made, how they were implemented, and their results. They investigate contemporary phenomena in their natural context when boundaries between the phenomenon and context are unclear. Case studies can be exploratory, explanatory, or descriptive, and are used to provide descriptions, test theories, or generate new theories. Choosing a case study depends on access, as they are preferred for examining contemporary events compared to history, while experiments manipulate behavior. Criticisms of case studies include a perceived lack of rigor, confusing the teaching method with the research method, and limited ability to generalize. An effective case study protocol includes an overview, questions to guide the investigation, and a report structure. Within-case and

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230 views9 pages

Case Study Research Method

Case studies aim to illuminate decisions by understanding why they were made, how they were implemented, and their results. They investigate contemporary phenomena in their natural context when boundaries between the phenomenon and context are unclear. Case studies can be exploratory, explanatory, or descriptive, and are used to provide descriptions, test theories, or generate new theories. Choosing a case study depends on access, as they are preferred for examining contemporary events compared to history, while experiments manipulate behavior. Criticisms of case studies include a perceived lack of rigor, confusing the teaching method with the research method, and limited ability to generalize. An effective case study protocol includes an overview, questions to guide the investigation, and a report structure. Within-case and

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Ajith Uswattha
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Case Study Research Method

Alexander Settles

Deductive Research Model

Case Study Research


The essence of a case study, the central tendency among all types of case study is that it tries to illuminate a decision or set of decisions: why they were taken, how they were implemented, and with what result.

Yin, Robert (1994) "Ch 1: Designing Case Studies," Case Study Research: Design & Methods, 2nd edition, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

Definition of a Case Study


Investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context, especially when The boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident. (Case studies focus on understanding the dynamics present within a single setting (Eisenhardt, 1989)).

Yin, Robert (1994) "Ch 1: Designing Case Studies," Case Study Research: Design & Methods, 2nd edition, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Eisenhardt, Kathleen M., (1989) "Building Theories From Case Study Research," Academy Of Management Review, 14(4) 532-550.

Usefulness of Case Studies


Case studies can be: Exploratory Explanatory Descriptive (Yin, 1994) Case studies can be used to: Provide description Test theory Generate theory (Eisenhardt, 1989).
Yin, Robert (1994) "Ch 1: Designing Case Studies," Case Study Research: Design & Methods, 2nd edition, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Eisenhardt, Kathleen M., (1989) "Building Theories From Case Study Research," Academy Of Management Review, 14(4) 532-550.

When to choose:
Choice of history, case studies or experiments will depend on access. Case studies preferred in examining contemporary events. Experiments are done when the investigator can manipulate behavior directly, precisely and systematically.
Yin, Robert (1994) "Ch 1: Designing Case Studies," Case Study Research: Design & Methods, 2nd edition, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

Criticisms of Case Studies


Lack of rigor of case study research. Confusing case study research with case study teaching. Provide little basis for scientific generalization. Case Studies take too long.

Yin, Robert (1994) "Ch 1: Designing Case Studies," Case Study Research: Design & Methods, 2nd edition, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

Case Study Protocol


Include following topics:
Overview of Case Study

Field procedures
Access to sites, assistance Schedule of data collection

Background information Issues being investigated Relevant readings

Case Study questions


Keep investigator on track Distinguish among levels of questions Pathway btw. ? and evidence

Guide for Case Study report


Yin, Robert (1994) "Ch 3: Conducting Case Studies: Collecting the Evidence," Case Study Research: Design & Methods, 2nd edition, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

Analyzing within field and cross case data:


This preliminary analysis assists in organizing the enormous quantities of data Cross case data forces researchers to go beyond initial impressions. For cross-case data analysis, can look at within group similarities and intergroup differences. Select pairs of cases, and list similarities and differences between each group forces researcher to look for subtle similarities and differences.
Eisenhardt, Kathleen M., (1989) "Building Theories From Case Study Research," Academy Of Management Review, 14(4) 532-550.

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