Case study research excels at bringing us to an
understanding of a complex issue or object and can extend experience or add
strength to what is already known through previous research. Case studies
emphasize detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or
conditions and their relationships. Researchers have used the case study
research method for many years across a variety of disciplines.
Researcher Robert K. Yin defines the case study research method as an
empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its
real-life context; when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not
clearly evident; and in which multiple sources of evidence are used.
Many well-known case study researchers such as Robert E. Stake, Helen
Simons, and Robert K. Yin have written about case study research and suggested
techniques for organizing and conducting the research successfully. This
introduction to case study research draws upon their work and proposes six
steps that should be used:
• Determine and define the research questions
• Select the cases and determine data gathering
and analysis techniques
• Prepare to collect the data
• Collect data in the field
• Evaluate and analyze the data
• Prepare the report
Step
1: Determine and Define the Research Questions
The first step in case study research is to establish a firm research
focus to which the researcher can refer over the course of study of a complex
phenomenon or object. The researcher establishes the focus of the study by
forming questions about the situation or problem to be studied and determining
a purpose for the study.
The researcher investigates the object of the case study in depth using
a variety of data gathering methods to produce evidence that leads to
understanding of the case and answers the research questions are targeted to a
limited number of events or conditions and their inter-relationships
("how" or "why").
Careful definition of the questions at the start pinpoints where to look
for evidence and helps determine the methods of analysis to be used in the
study. The literature review, definition of the purpose of the case study, and
early determination of the potential audience for the final report guide how
the study will be designed, conducted, and publicly reported.
Step
2: Select the Cases and Determine Data Gathering and Analysis
Techniques during the design phase of case study research, the
researcher determines what approaches to use in selecting single or multiple
real-life cases to examine in depth and which instruments and data gathering
approaches to use. When using multiple cases, each case is treated as a single
case. Each case’s conclusions can then be used as information contributing to
the whole study, but each case remains a single case.
The researcher determines in advance what evidence to gather and what
analysis techniques to use with the data to answer the research questions. Data
gathered is normally largely qualitative, but it may also be quantitative.
Tools to collect data can include surveys, interviews, documentation review,
observation, and even the collection of physical artifacts. The researcher must
use the designated data gathering tools systematically and properly in
collecting the evidence. Throughout the design phase, researchers must ensure
that the study is well constructed to ensure construct validity, internal
validity, external validity, and reliability.
Exemplary case study design ensures that the procedures used are well
documented and can be repeated with the same results over and over again.
Step
3: Prepare to Collect the Data:
Because case study research generates a large amount of data from
multiple sources, systematic organization of the data is important to prevent
the researcher from becoming overwhelmed by the amount of data and to prevent
the researcher from losing sight of the original research purpose and
questions.
The investigator training program covers the basic concepts of the
study, terminology, processes, and methods, and teaches investigators how to
properly apply the techniques being used in the study.
After investigators are trained, the final advance preparation step is
to select a pilot site and conduct a pilot test using each data gathering
method so that problematic areas can be uncovered and corrected. Researchers
need to anticipate key problems and events, identify key people, prepare
letters of introduction, establish rules for confidentiality, and actively seek
opportunities to revisit and revise the research design in order to address and
add to the original set of research questions.
Step
4: Collect Data in the Field:
The researcher must collect and store multiple sources of evidence
comprehensively and systematically, in formats that can be referenced and
sorted so that converging lines of inquiry and patterns can be uncovered.
Researchers carefully observe the object of the case study and identify causal
factors associated with the observed phenomenon.
Case study research is flexible, but when changes are made, they are
documented systematically.
The researcher may enter some data into a database and physically store
other data, but the researcher documents, classifies, and cross-references all
evidence so that it can be efficiently recalled for sorting and examination
over the course of the study.
Step
5: Evaluate and Analyze the Data:
The researcher examines raw data using many interpretations in order to
find linkages between the research object and the outcomes with reference to
the original research questions. Throughout the evaluation and analysis
process, the researcher remains open to new opportunities and insights.
In all cases, the researcher treats the evidence fairly to produce
analytic conclusions answering the original "how" and "why"
research questions.
Step
6: Prepare the report:
Exemplary case studies report the data in a way that transforms a
complex issue into one that can be understood, allowing the reader to question
and examine the study and reach an understanding independent of the researcher.
During the report preparation process, researchers critically examine
the document looking for ways the report is incomplete. The researcher uses
representative audience groups to review and comment on the draft document.
Based on the comments, the researcher rewrites and makes revisions. Some case
study researchers suggest that the document review audience include a
journalist and some suggest that the documents should be reviewed by the
participants in the study.
Assumption
of case study method
The case study method is based on several assumptions. The importance
assumptions are explained below
Uniformity
of human nature
The assumption of uniformity in the basic human nature in spite of the
fact that human behaviour may vary according to situations. This assumption
underlines the collection of case data.
Nature
history of the unit
The assumption of studying the natural history of the unit concerned. It
gives the background for the study.
Comprehensive
study
The assumption of comprehensive study of the unit concerned
Applicability
Psychologist has stated that some statement about human broadly apply to
each individual or to each member of a large group.
Homogeneity
According to Cora Dubois, an Anthropologist, the case study is possible
only because of certain basic homogeneity or similarity in evidenced in the
mankind.
Major
steps of case study method:
- Identify the case topic, setting, primary focus, and perspective.
- Obtain relevant public background materials and knowledgeable informant insights.
- Obtain access, approval, and clarify anonymity issues with key gatekeeper.
- Obtain relevant documents, minutes, reports and other appropriate materials.
- Develop preliminary chronology of key events leading to controversy or decision and identify key players and issues.
- Consider varied perspective and sources of information and pedagogical purpose of the case.
- Develop interview protocol (key questions for various informants) and further information to collect. This will evolve further.
- Conduct interviews and collect other documents, information and materials.
- Develop case outline and style of presentation.
- Draft Case: obtain comment and feedback from key gatekeeper. Revise & finalised the case.
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