Case Study :
Case study research, through reports of past studies, allows the Case study research, through reports of past studies, allows the exploration and understanding of complex issues. It can be considered a robust exploration and understanding of complex issues. It can be considered a robust research method particularly when a holistic, in-depth investigation is
research method particularly when a holistic, in-depth investigation is required.required.
Case studies, in their true essence, explore and investigate Case studies, in their true essence, explore and investigate contemporary real-life phenomenon through detailed contextual analysis of a contemporary real-life phenomenon through detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or conditions, and their relationships.
limited number of events or conditions, and their relationships.
An
An in-depth in-depth longitudinal longitudinal examination examination of of a a single single case case or or event event isis used.
used.
The longitudinal examination provides a systematic way of observing the The longitudinal examination provides a systematic way of observing the events, collecting data, analysing information, and reporting the results over a events, collecting data, analysing information, and reporting the results over a long period of time.
long period of time.
Category
Category of of case case study study ::
There are several categories of case study.
There are several categories of case study. Yin (1984 Yin (1984)) notes
notes three three categories, categories, namely:namely:
I.
I. ExExpplolorraatotory ry cacase se ststududyy,, II
II.. DeDescscririptptivive ce casase se stutudydy,, III
III.. exexplaplananatortory cy case ase stustudiedies.s.
First, exploratory case studies set to explore any phenomenon in the data First, exploratory case studies set to explore any phenomenon in the data which serves as a point
which serves as a point of interest to the researcher.of interest to the researcher.
Second, descriptive case studies set to describe the natural phenomena Second, descriptive case studies set to describe the natural phenomena which occur within the data in question, for instance, what different strategies which occur within the data in question, for instance, what different strategies are used by a reader and how the reader use them.
are used by a reader and how the reader use them.
Third, explanatory case studies examine the data closely both at a surface Third, explanatory case studies examine the data closely both at a surface and deep level in order to explain the phenomena in the data.
and deep level in order to explain the phenomena in the data.
Other researchers also mention about other categories of case Other researchers also mention about other categories of case study.
study.
In defining case studies,
In defining case studies, Stake (1995)Stake (1995) distinguishes three types,distinguishes three types, II.. tthhe e iinnttrriinnssiicc,,
II
II.. ththe e ininststrurumemenntatal,l, II
III.I. ththe e cocollllecectitiveve..
In an intrinsic case study, a researcher examines the case for its own
In an intrinsic case study, a researcher examines the case for its own sake.sake.
In an instrumental case study, the researcher selects a small group of In an instrumental case study, the researcher selects a small group of subjects in
subjects in
order to examine a
order to examine a certain pattern of behaviour.certain pattern of behaviour.
In a collective
In a collective case studycase study, the , the researcher coordinates data from severalresearcher coordinates data from several different sources, such as schools or individuals.
different sources, such as schools or individuals.
Design
Design of of case case study study ::
Careful design of a case study is therefore very Careful design of a case study is therefore very important. This is because case study method, through interviews or journal important. This is because case study method, through interviews or journal entries, must be able to prove that:
entries, must be able to prove that:
i.
i. it iit is ths the oe only nly viaviable ble metmethod hod to eto eliclicit iit implmplicit icit anand exd expliplicit dcit data ata frofrom thm thee subjects.
subjects.
ii. it is appropriate to the research question.
ii. it is appropriate to the research question.
iii. it follows the
iii. it follows the set of procedures with proper application.set of procedures with proper application.
iv
iv. the scientific conventions . the scientific conventions used in social sciences are stused in social sciences are strictly followed.rictly followed.
v. a
v. a „chain„chain ofof evidence‟,evidence‟, either quantitatively either quantitatively or or qualitatively qualitatively , , areare systematically
systematically
recorded and archived particularly when interviews and direct recorded and archived particularly when interviews and direct observation by the researcher are the main sources of data.
observation by the researcher are the main sources of data.
vi. the case study
vi. the case study is linked to a theoretical frameworkis linked to a theoretical framework (Tellis, 1997) .(Tellis, 1997) .
Limitations : Limitations : I.
I. It cIt consonsumeumes mos more tire time ame and rend requiquireres lot os lot of exf expenpenditditureure. Mo. More tre time ime isis needed under case study method since one studies the natural history needed under case study method since one studies the natural history cycles of s
cycles of social units and ocial units and that too minutelythat too minutely..
II.
II. CasCase stue study medy methothod is bad is based osed on sevn severaeral assl assumpumptiotions whns which mich may noay not bet be very realistic at times, and as such the usefulness of case data is always very realistic at times, and as such the usefulness of case data is always subject to doubt.
subject to doubt.
III.
III. Case sCase study metudy method cthod can be uan be used onsed only in a lly in a limited imited sphersphere., it ie., it is nots not possible to use it in case of a big society. Sampling is also not possible possible to use it in case of a big society. Sampling is also not possible under a case study method.
under a case study method.
IV.
IV. RespoResponse of the inse of the investignvestigator is an imator is an importaportant limitant limitation of the ction of the case studase studyy method. He often thinks that he has full knowledge of the unit and can method. He often thinks that he has full knowledge of the unit and can himself answer about it. In case the same is not true, then consequences himself answer about it. In case the same is not true, then consequences follow. In fact, this is more the fault of the researcher rather than that of follow. In fact, this is more the fault of the researcher rather than that of the case method.
the case method.
Advantages : Advantages : I.
I. BeiBeing ng an an exhexhausaustivtive ste study udy of a of a socisocial al uniunit, tt, the he cascase se studtudy my methethodod enables us to understand fully the behaviour pattern of the concerned enables us to understand fully the behaviour pattern of the concerned unit.
unit.
II.
II. This This methomethod end enables ables the rthe researesearcher cher to trto trace oace out thut the nae natural tural histohistory of ry of thethe social unit and its relationship with the social factors and the forces social unit and its relationship with the social factors and the forces involved in its
involved in its surrounding environment.surrounding environment.
III.
III. The reThe researcsearcher can her can use onuse one or more or more of the e of the severseveral reseal research march methodethodss under the case study method depending upon the prevalent under the case study method depending upon the prevalent circumstances. In other words, the use of different methods such as circumstances. In other words, the use of different methods such as depth interviews, questionnaires, documents, study reports of individuals, depth interviews, questionnaires, documents, study reports of individuals, letters, and the like is
letters, and the like is possible under case study method.possible under case study method.
IV.
IV. Case stuCase study methdy method enhod enhances the eances the experxperience oience of the resef the researchearcher and thir and thiss in turn increases his analysing ability and skill.
in turn increases his analysing ability and skill.
Conclusion Conclusion
Despite the above stated limitations, we find that case studies are Despite the above stated limitations, we find that case studies are being undertaken in several disciplines, particularly in sociology, as a tool of being undertaken in several disciplines, particularly in sociology, as a tool of scientific research in view
scientific research in view of the several advantages indicated earlier. Most ofof the several advantages indicated earlier. Most of the limitations can be removed if researchers are always conscious of these the limitations can be removed if researchers are always conscious of these and are well trained in the modern methods of collecting case data and in the and are well trained in the modern methods of collecting case data and in the scientific techniques of assembling, classifying and processing the same.
scientific techniques of assembling, classifying and processing the same.
Besides, case studies, in modern times, can be conducted in such a manner Besides, case studies, in modern times, can be conducted in such a manner that the data are amenable to quantification and statistical treatment.
that the data are amenable to quantification and statistical treatment.
Possibly, this is also the reason why case studies are becoming popular day Possibly, this is also the reason why case studies are becoming popular day by day.
by day.
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