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CASE STUDY-INDIVIDUAL STUDY METHODS IN
RESEARCH PREAMBLE.
MR. Manoj KisanGaikwad
H.R.BafnaD.Ed College VadgaonMaval,Pune(MH)
Abstract
:Case study method means individual study method is very popular in qualitative analysis. In this study,a careful observation of particular social unit or family or community is done. Case study as a comprehensive study of social unit be that unit a person,a group, a social institution, a district or acommunity is formed. An individual study has also been describing as an intensive, systematic
investigation of a single individual group,community or some other unit in which the researcher examines in depth data relating to several variable.
One of the greatest advantages of a case study is that it allows researchers to investigate things that are often difficult to impossible to replicate in a lab. Some other benefits of a case study can be stated as it allows researchers to collect a great deal of information. It also gives researchers the chance to collect information on rare or unusual cases. It also allows researchers to develop hypotheses that can be explored in experimental research.Researchers may choose to perform a case study if they are interested in exploring a unique or recently discovered phenomenon. The insights gained from such research can then help the researchers develop additional ideas and study questions that might then be explored in future studies.
Case studies can, in principle, be used to test any theory that has implications for individual
patients. Furthermore, when describing the steps undertaken while using a case study approach, this method of research allows the researcher to take a complex and broad topic, or phenomenon, and narrow it down into a manageable research question(s). By collecting qualitative or quantitative datasets about the phenomenon, the researcher gains a more in-depth insight into the phenomenon than would be obtained using only one type of data.
Keywords-Qualitative Research,Case study method, investigate, phenomenon.
Introduction
:The study is conducted to show the relationship between the two variables using qualitative methods to describe the situation in qualitative research. The purpose of qualitative survey is to conduct qualitative studies when the influence of attitudes, thoughts, values of a person in a particular society cannot be quantified,when the survey method is useful for the relationship between variables.
P.V.Yang :- Individual study is the method of holistic analysis of a social unit. Be it a single individual, family, organization, cultural group or community. According to Watson, when a researcher studies a unit perfectly in terms of its social, cultural background,such a study is called INDIVIDUAL STUDY. Such a unit can be an individual, family, social group, social organization or social community. In contrast to the purely statistical method, a specific type of experience in a person’s study is presented in a concise form, that is , a study of a unit’s in depth rational research on the background of various experiences, social forces and influences. From the above definition , individual study is used for various purposes, descriptive, exploratory research and the theory is developed accordingly.
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Individual study is done qualitatively. The researcher seeks to establish functional relationship in the context of an individual or a social unit by conducting in – depth detailed studies based on the primary and remote audiences. Individual study methods are qualitative methods. Herbert Spenser, a British sociologist was the one to use individual studies.Herbert Sir was the first to use individual content in a comparative study of different cultures. So Lapley is given the responsibility or the boon of bringing the individual method into the social branch.
Individual study method is the study of an individual, group, or social organization or a community. The study of that particular unit is in the form of whole or complete study. Any social factor be it individual, family, group , institution or community are considered as a centre of the study.
Subtle Study
:This method studies the most subtle aspect of each unit and sub unit taken for studies. 1.The researcher engages in research work without worrying about the time.
2.The research continues uninterrupted until the facts are realised by studying the minute details of the unit.
Study of specific elements
:Methods of individual study is a complete study of a particular social unit, which is tangible or intangible. The subject to be studied under this method can be an individual or an event in hid life, an entire nation or an era.
Study of Present and Past tense
:Both the tenses are coordinated in an individual study method. The researcher tries to know the past facts about a unit as well as its correlation with the current state.
Study of casual relations
:Casual relations in different conditions of the unit are informed. The researcher by individual study method seeks to find out what is reasons which motivate the behaviour of a particular unit.
What is his reaction in a particular/different situation?
What kind of influence does a situation have on a traditional relationship?
Thus, present situations and past studies are used to understand the individual behaviour.
In -depth study of problems
:In -depth study of the unit is done in relation to the problem. This study goes on for a longer period of time. The reason being, it is imperative to study the unit from its past and its origin to the present situation. Attempts are made to compile every subtle and detailed information related to that unit.
In Individual study, the researcher person, family, organization,group or any other unit is studied as a whole at the individual level.
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Complete study of the unit
:In individual study, complete study of any unit is done. This requires the study of all aspects of the unit. This includes study from social, psychological, economic, religious perspective.
Qualitative study
:Qualitative study of unit is done in an individual study. No numerical study is done here. The individual study method is the qualitative study method of the unit and a collection of qualitative facts. Analysis of these facts is not performed on a descriptive statistics basic.
Historical Studies
In individual study method, unit is studied for a long time. Historical studies show the effect of that unit on the present.
Characteristic of Individual Study Method
:Individual study method is a holistic study of an incomplete unit without studying the selected aspects or variables of the unit.
Types of Individual study methods
:Different techniques are used for compilation of factual material under this method to avoid any form of error in the research. The respondent is seen as an expert , not just in the form of supporting
material.Symbolic matters ae studied under individual study method
Individual Study
:In this type of study , the researcher studies all the phenomena related to extreme life. Intelligence and experience are required in this study. Information is obtained using several sources. Here, family members, friends, neighbours, classmate are used as source of information. Information is also obtained from specific event, organization, leader, written sources on the basis of correspondence, diary, autobiography, memoirs are studied personally.
Historical Individual Study
:This type of study involves the long term development of a group, organization, community, organization or system.It also has a caste, religion, class etc. Cultural group studies are conducted in this type of individual study. Information can also be based on interview techniques and documents.
Oral History Person Study
:Oral History person study are used in this way to get information only in research studies which is a useful tool in the study of individual life. Through the individual study method, the researcher collects information
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from an individual through a technique in detail about the position of a unit in the community. This kind of extensive form helps to gain knowledge as this method leads to the perfection of the community.
The analysis of aspects depends entirely on the help and the nature of the utility respondent.Gains insights into doing variety of studies. The researcher is intended to be a psychiatrist or studies his subject with the aim of fully understanding the conditions and situation of the person. Information is obtained from the other people who are involved in the incident. Reactions are recorded and the researcher understands the phenomenon through a thorough study.
Multiple Experimental Individual Study
:In this mode the individual study is repeated and analysed and the researcher tries to reach a conclusion on this basis. These multidisciplinary individual studies can lead to conclusive conclusion. This method is very useful at the practice level in a social research as it is a very meticulous and in -depth study of the research period through individual studies.
In psychological studies, individual study methods are more useful.According to psychologist, most diseases are mental in nature.Therefore it is possible to treat such diseases through individual studies. A holistic study of all aspects of the unit is done in detail. This study helps in the formation of useful assumptions.It also helps to classify different units into different groups. Questionnaire
,schedules,observation and interviews can be tools in the study. The researcher has a very close relationship with the unit.Hence, the researcher makes maximum use of the study method.The researcher can draw conclusions by knowing the past, present and the future of the study unit.
LIMITATIONS:
• The researcher conducts meticulous and in depth study for a long period of time. This establishes a close relationship with the subject.
• Affection can be created for each other.This can also create the possibility of being bias. Conclusions are drawn on the basis of microscopic study of certain units.
• So the conclusions drawn from a few units are not appropriate to apply to all units. We have very less control over unit selection and data collection in the individual study method.
• Similarly, the help of classical and organised method is not taken. Individual study method is used to get information through diaries, letters , biographies etc. It is not possible to examine the facts that the researcher collects in individual studies.
• Sample selection method is lacking in which representative unit is not studied.
• It is difficult to find out if the life history is true. Individual study is a time consuming process.It goes on for a very long time.
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DATA COLLECTION SOURCES FOR INDIVIDUAL
STUDY METHOD:
1. DIARY:
Success, failure, secrets of a person’s daily life can be understood from a diary. This involves collecting by having participants record entries about their everyday lives in a log or journal about the activities or experiences being studied.This helps in studying the participant over a longer period of time.This form of information can provide a large amount of contextual information without the cost of true field
study.Diaries are also called as experience sampling .
2. OTHER COLLECTED MATERIALS :
Information is also collected through government or non -government organizations. This includes official documents, genealogy, school,policesystem,court, prison, photos, census documents etc.
3. DOCUMENTS:
It plays a vital role on bases of educational which enlightened to individual life. .Documents and Magzine which are published and unpublished are also of special importance in individuals studies.Through these documents ,various events and experieces in social life or individual life can be known.
4.REMAINS OR RELICS:
Remains or relics are objects associated with aperson, group or period. Fossils, skeletons, tools, weapons, food, utensils,clothing, buildings, furniture, pictures, paintings, coins and art objects areexamples of those relics and remains that were not deliberately intended for use in transmitting information or as records. However these sources may provide clear evidence about the past.
5. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE :
Through the letter the person conveys the thought of his feelings.Through these tools the researcher gains knowledge of the individuals with others is approach social life and his experience.
CONCLUSION :
We find the individual study method are undertaken in several disciplines,mostly in sociology. We can say if the researcher is conscious well trained and skilled when he can apply modern techniques of data
collecting assembling,classifying and processing the same and thus reduce short coming of the techniques. However to conclude,we can say that though there are several limitations,this method has certain
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References:
Best,J.M. and Kahn J.V,(2009) Research in Education PHI Pvt.Ltd.,New Delhi.
Pandya,S.(2012) Research Methodology,NewDelhi:Aph Publishing Corporation,New Delhi. Kothari,C.R.(2008) Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques.(2nd) New Delhi: New Age
International Publishers.
https://pn.wikipedia.org/wiki/ www.educational.com
