Case Study Methods

• Case studies are both a method of analysis and a specific research design used to examine a problem.
• Case studies focus on a single instance rather than a broad population or sample.

Primary Types of Case Studies

• Key cases are selected because the researcher finds them particularly interesting or relevant.
• Outlier cases are chosen for their uniqueness, as they stand out from typical events, organizations, or situations, allowing social scientists to gain insights from things that deviate from the norm.
• Local knowledge cases are suitable when the researcher has substantial existing information about a topic, person, organization, or event.

Forms of Case Studies

• Illustrative case studies are descriptive and aim to illuminate a specific situation, its context, and the embedded social relations and processes.
• Exploratory case studies, also known as pilot studies, help researchers identify study methods and research questions for more complex studies.
• Cumulative case studies involve researchers compiling already completed studies on a particular topic.
• Critical instance case studies seek to understand a unique event and challenge common assumptions by addressing a lack of critical understanding.

Case Method as a Learning Tool

• Unlike large studies designed to prove a hypothesis, case studies focus on a narrow topic to prove or disprove an idea, question, or hypothesis, often alongside or independently of larger formal studies.

Advantages of Case Studies

• Case studies facilitate the intensive study of a single unit.
• They are an effective method for stimulating new research.
• They offer insights into phenomena not accessible through other methods.

Disadvantages of Case Studies

• Many case studies cannot be replicated or corroborated.
• Researchers risk developing a bias during the study.
• Classification is difficult due to the small sample size.
• Case studies can be time-consuming.
• The method may be subject to errors in memory or judgment.
• There is always the question of ethics in small studies.

How to Conduct a Case Study

• While there's no single approach to the "Case Method," common steps are recommended.
• Begin by obtaining the case study, formulating guiding questions, and reviewing relevant readings.
• Identifying a case involves more than choosing a research problem; the case study should contextualize in-depth analysis, interpretation, and discussion to provide recommendations for action or improvement.
• After selecting a topic, plan and develop the study, considering the type of case study and the questions to be answered.
• The case study research design allows focus on specific and interesting cases to test a theory or explore an area of interest, requiring thorough research and meticulous note-taking.
• The subject and its relevance form the foundation of the case study, isolating a small study group, an individual case, or a particular population.

Key Components of a Case Study

• The case study's questions
• The study's propositions
• How information and data will be analyzed
• The logic behind the propositions
• How the findings will be interpreted
• Study questions should be "how" or "why," defining the study's goals.

Propositions

• Not every case study has a proposition; exploratory studies have a stated purpose instead.
• Information analysis depends on the topic, varying by whether the subject is a person, group, or organization.

Setting Up Case Study Research

• Overview of the case study (objectives, topic, and issues)
• Procedures for gathering information and conducting interviews
• Questions for interviews and data collection
• A guide for the final report

Research Methods

• Documents and archival records
• Interviews
• Direct/Indirect observations
• Physical artifacts/tools
• Documents: letters, memos, newspaper + internet articles + other case studies
• Archival records: military, service, company and survey records + census info

Strategy

• A clear outline describing data collection towards answering research questions is essential.
• Create a short list of 4-5 key points to address.
• Choose at least two data sources such as interviews, internet research, and field or report collection.
• The more sources used, the better the data quality.
• Formulate 15-20 interview questions.
• Obtain informed consent verifying that the subject understands their role in the study and that their story will be used.
• Assure the subject that their information will remain private or unidentifiable with a pseudonym.

Important Considerations

• Passivity as an observer is important.
• In multi-subject cases, treat each case individually before drawing conclusions.
• Data analysis tends to be opinion-based rather than statistical.
• Collate data into a manageable form and construct a narrative.
• Use examples while maintaining conciseness and clear trends instead of over analyzing large pieces of data.
• Always refer to bullet points to maintain focus.
• Assume the reader may not possess detailed knowledge of the subject.
• Unlike scientific studies, case studies are based on opinion and designed to provoke reasoned debate, so there is not a correct answer.