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    An Overview of Case Study Research Methods

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    Sheila Mae Lira
    This document provides an overview of case study research methods. It defines a case study as an in-depth analysis of a topic using multiple sources of evidence within a real-life context. Case studies are useful for exploring complex issues, gaining an understanding of how something works in practice, and developing hypotheses. While case studies provide rich insights, limitations include lack of generalizability and potential for researcher bias. The document outlines best practices for designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on case study research.

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    An Overview of Case Study Research Methods

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    Sheila Mae Lira
    21 views27 pages
    This document provides an overview of case study research methods. It defines a case study as an in-depth analysis of a topic using multiple sources of evidence within a real-life context. Case studies are useful for exploring complex issues, gaining an understanding of how something works in practice, and developing hypotheses. While case studies provide rich insights, limitations include lack of generalizability and potential for researcher bias. The document outlines best practices for designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on case study research.

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    This document provides an overview of case study research methods. It defines a case study as an in-depth analysis of a topic using multiple sources of evidence within a real-life context. Case studies are useful for exploring complex issues, gaining an understanding of how something works in practice, and developing hypotheses. While case studies provide rich insights, limitations include lack of generalizability and potential for researcher bias. The document outlines best practices for designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on case study research.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    21 views27 pages

    An Overview of Case Study Research Methods

    Uploaded by

    Sheila Mae Lira
    This document provides an overview of case study research methods. It defines a case study as an in-depth analysis of a topic using multiple sources of evidence within a real-life context. Case studies are useful for exploring complex issues, gaining an understanding of how something works in practice, and developing hypotheses. While case studies provide rich insights, limitations include lack of generalizability and potential for researcher bias. The document outlines best practices for designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on case study research.

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    An Overview of Case Study

    Research Methods
    What is a case study?
    Why conduct a case study?
    • In-depth analysis of topic using multiple sources of
    evidence
    • Richly descriptive, grounded in deep and varied
    sources of information
    • Good for showing how something happens/works in a
    real life situation / Understanding a complex issue
    • Explore; Describe; Explain
    Definition of Case Study

    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” (Yin, 1984, p. 23).
    Issues
    • Studying a small number of cases is insufficient for
    establishing reliability or generality of findings;
    • The intense involvement of the researcher in the
    study of the case could bias the findings;
    • Some critics suggest case study research is useful
    only as an exploratory tool or for establishing a
    hypothesis;
    • Some would claim it is unscientific.
    Benefits

    • Answer why? Questions;


    • Gain an in depth understanding of a particular phenomenon;
    • Develop an initial hypothesis;
    • Establish a basis for future research;
    • Develop new theories;
    • Extend existing theories;
    • Test existing theory.
    How many cases?
     Eisenhardt (1989), suggests from 4 to 10 is ideal;

     Yin (1984) and Stake (1995) suggest that one can be


    acceptable;

     The key is to justify your choice.


    Stages
    • Determine the research questions;
    • Decide if case study is appropriate;
    • Decide how many cases are appropriate;
    • 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;
    • Write up the research and present the findings.
    Choosing Your Case Study
    • Unit of Analysis

    • Case selected because they are:


    • highly effective; not effective; representative; of
    special interest
    3 Types of Case Studies

    1. Intrinsic Case Study


    2. Instrumental Case Study
    3. Multiple or Collective Case Study
    Intrinsic Case Study

    • Researcher interested in understanding a


    specific individual or situation
    • Why?
    • Goal = understand the case in all its parts
    • Exploratory Research
    Instrumental Case
    Study
    • Researcher interested in understanding
    something more than just a particular case
    • Studies the case only as a means to some
    larger goal
    • Goal = global
    • Draws conclusions that apply beyond a
    particular case
    Multiple or Collective
    Case Study
    • Researcher studies multiple cases at the
    same time
    • Overall study
    Methods of Analysis
    (Types of Evidence)
    • Documentation
    • Interviews
    • Direct Observation
    • Participant Observation
    • ...and Others (Survey, Artifacts, etc.)
    • Why multiple? ...Triangulation
    How to Conduct Case Studies
    • Determine / define research question
    • good for “how” & “why” questions / limited number of events
    and their interrelationships
    • Select cases & determine data gathering / analysis techniques
    • not a “sampling technique” -- select to maximize what can be
    learned
    • with multiple cases, each is a single case with conclusions
    contributing to the whole study
    • Prepare to collect data
    • systematic organization is key!
    • Collect / evaluate data
    • Prepare the report (and graduate!)
    Analyzing the Evidence
    • Before writing up your case study, you need to analyze the data --
    keep focused on your research question
    • Pattern matching: a set of results is predicted, then compared to
    actual results
    • Explanation building: a particular explanation (e.g. theory) is
    used to analyze the data
    • Time-series analysis: looks at trends over time, matching with
    possible explanations
    • Logic models: a complex chain of events and looks at relationship
    between independent variables (causes) and dependent variables
    (events)
    • Cross-case synthesis: findings are analyzed across cases and
    generalizations made
    Data collection and analysis 1

    • Decide how to collect the data, interviews,


    surveys etc;
    • If survey method is chosen - paper or internet,
    postal or facilitated in person;
    • If interviews, decide if to be group or individual;
    • Decide how to capture data, written notes, audio
    tape, video;
    • Decide transcription and language issues.
    Data collection and analysis 2

    • Decide how to code the data;


    • If you have quantitative data, decide which
    statistical tools to use;
    • If qualitative decide if you need software to
    analyse it;
    • Decide how to analyse the data and
    integrate theory;
    • Decide how to present the findings and
    analysis.
    Conducting In-Depth Interviews

    Lecture adapted from Prof. Shishir Mathur


    Purpose of Interviews
    • Generate ideas
    • Develop hypothesis
    • Gain insight into complex issues
    • Seek expert opinion
    • Get people’s opinion; learn how they look
    at the world
    • Collect information
    Pre-Interview
    • Prepare, prepare, prepare! Know your objectives and
    information needed.
    • Select interviewees -- rationale
    • Prepare questions
    • Clearly worded; neutral; value of open-ended
    questions; possible probes/follow-up questions
    • But, be flexible -- take advantage of opportunities
    • Initial contact
    Interview Process
    • Face-to-face; phone
    • Non-distracting setting (for face-to-face)
    • Introduction/review purpose/informed consent
    • Redundant note taking
    • Carefully constructed question order (more later)
    • Be flexible (skip questions, ask probes)
    • Closing question
    Post-Interview
    • Reserve time to re-write/organize notes
    • Time-consuming, but an essential piece
    • Follow-up with interviewee
    Types of Interviews
    • Informal, conversational: no predetermined questions
    asked (based on rough topic list you want to cover);
    adaptable to interviewee’s nature & priorities; “go with the
    flow” BUT difficult to do effectively, tough to
    analyze/compare with others, can get off-topic quickly, can
    be time-consuming

    • Standardized, open-ended interview: same open-ended


    questions asked to all; faster interviews; easier to analyze,
    less flexibility/opportunity to explore new avenues (can
    build in prompts to allow this)

    • Closed, fixed-response interview: same questions and same


    set of pre-determined responses (like a survey)
    Sequence of Questions
    • Get respondents involved in interview as soon as possible
    (limited time, ask only “important” questions)
    • Start off with “easy” questions (e.g. facts rather than
    controversial issues)
    • Intersperse fact-based questions throughout
    • Make sure your “key” questions aren’t at very end (in
    case you run out of time)
    • Transition between major topics
    • Importance of closing question
    Review (Interview) Research
    Stages
    • Thematizing: why and what of the research

    • Designing: plan the study (including interview guide)

    • Interviewing: conduct based on a guide (best format for 298


    research)

    • Transcribing: prepare material for analysis, time-consuming

    • Analyzing: looks for themes, key points related to research


    questions, compare/contrast across interviews

    • Verifying: assess validity of findings (multiple sources of


    information)

    • Reporting: write up report using information/analysis from


    interviews
    Sources of Error/Bias
    • Interviewee/Respondent Induced
    Bias

    • Memory, exaggeration, hidden


    agenda, misunderstand, lack of
    expertise, incomplete answer,
    courtesy

    • Interview Induced Bias

    • React to response, voice


    inflections, desire to help, biased
    questions, question order,
    appearance

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