Case Study Method

University of Gloucestershire Business School

Philippa Ward

A set of questions to start

How would you define a case study
Why might a researcher choose to
use this approach?
How do you select a case (or indeed
cases)?
What might be the benefits of this
approach?
What might be the possible
drawbacks?
University of Gloucestershire Business

An issue of strategy
What is a case study?
a systematic enquiry into an event or set
of related events which aims to describe
and explain the phenomenon of interest.
(Bromley, 1990, p.302)
the development of detailed, intensive
knowledge about a single case, or a small
number of related cases. (Robinson,
1993, p.40).

University of Gloucestershire Business

The aim of case study

To gain a rich understanding of the research
context and the enacted process (Morris &
Wood, 1991)
To answer what, how and why questions
(Robson, 1993)
To enable holistic, in-depth investigation
(Feagin, Orum & Sjoberg, 1991)
To bring out details from the viewpoint of
participants by using multiple sources of data
(Tellis, 1997).

University of Gloucestershire Business

Types of case study

Exploratory - seeks to provide the basis
for further research (hypothesis
development or test research
procedures
Descriptive outlines the phenomenon
within its context, thereby tracing
events and situations
Explanatory examines causal
relationships (Yin, 1993)

University of Gloucestershire Business

Further types
Intrinsic researcher has an
interest in the case
Instrumental when the case is
used to understand more than
what is obvious to the observer
Collective when more than one
case is used (Stake, 1995)
University of Gloucestershire Business

What qualities do you,

the researcher, need in
order to carry out
successful case study
research?
University of Gloucestershire Business

CHARACTERISTICS OF CASE
STUDY RESEARCH
Focus on depth rather than breadth
Natural setting
Holistic study
Multiple sources and methods

University of Gloucestershire Business