Introduction

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. Social scientists, in particular, have made wide use of this
qualitative research method to examine contemporary real-life situations and provide the basis for the application
of ideas and extension of methods. 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 (Yin, 1984, p. 23).

Critics of the case study method believe that the study of a small number of cases can offer no grounds for establishing reliability or
generality of findings. Others feel that the intense exposure to study of the case biases the findings. Some dismiss case study research as
useful only as an exploratory tool. Yet researchers continue to use the case study research method with success in carefully planned and
crafted studies of real-life situations, issues, and problems. Reports on case studies from many disciplines are widely available in the
literature.

This paper explains how to use the case study method and then applies the method to an example case study project designed to examine how
one set of users, non-profit organizations, make use of an electronic community network. The study examines the issue of whether or not the
electronic community network is beneficial in some way to non-profit organizations and what those benefits might be.

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

The case study has been especially used in social science, psychology, anthropology and ecology.

This method of study is especially useful for trying to test theoretical models by using them in real world situations. For example, if an
anthropologist were to live amongst a remote tribe, whilst their observations might produce no quantitative data, they are still useful to
science.

In addition, unlike a scientific study which deals with facts, a case study is based on opinion and is very much designed
to provoke reasoned debate. There really is no right or wrong answer in a case study.

Case study - (focus) (data collection)

Organization, entity, Interviews, documents, reports,

—
individual, or event observations

The research object in a case study is often a program, an entity, a person, or a group of people. Each object is likely to be intricately
connected to political, social, historical, and personal issues, providing wide ranging possibilities for questions and adding complexity to the
case 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.

Case study research generally answers one or more questions which begin with "how" or "why." The questions are targeted to a limited
number of events or conditions and their inter-relationships. To assist in targeting and formulating the questions, researchers conduct a
literature review. This review establishes what research has been previously conducted and leads to refined, insightful questions about the
problem. 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.

What is single case study methodology?

As a research method, case study methodology is well established in the Social Sciences. ... It is a type of research
inquiry that examines a real life contemporary phenomenon. It is usual for multiple sources of evidence to be used
(Yin, 2009).

Introduction

Case studies were one of the first types of research to be used in the field of qualitative methodology.Today,they
account for a large proportion of the research presented in books

and articles in psychology,history,education,and medicine,to list just a few of the fundamental

sciences.Much of what we know today about the empirical world has been produced by case study research,and
many of the most treasured classics in each discipline are case studies Case studies have been largely used in the
social sciences and have been found

to be especially valuable in practice-oriented fields (such as education,management,public

administration,and social work).But despite this long history and widespread use, case study research has received
little attention among the various methodologies in social science research.According to the authors of the
Encyclopedia of Case Study Research only a few texts deal directly with case studies as a central subject and no
eand methodological choice

(Verschuren 2003, p. 121). Case studies are therefore misunderstood as a type, as well as a

method, of qualitative research (Gerring 2004, p. 341).

Are case studies a qualitative 1997; Verschuren case studies

research type or a qualitative
2003), while others perceive have often been considered
research
them to be a qualitative to be part of qualitative
method?
research research
Before
method and methodology,
delving
(George they may also be quantitative
further
and Bennett or contain
into this investigation,
2005; Gerring a combination
it is important
2004). of qualitative
to make a
In this article, and quantitative
distinction
we will demonstrate approaches.
in how case studies
that case studies Qualitative
are viewed;
are more than just a research
some authors
is characterized
methodological
see them as a qualita-
by an interpretative
choice;
tive research
paradigm,
therefore,
type (Baxter
which emphasizes
we choose
and Jack 2008; Flyvbjerg
subjective
to define
2006, 2011; Sagadin
experiences
case studies
2004; and
as a qualitative
Simons the meanings
research type.
2009; Stake 2005; Sturman they have for an individual.
Although
Therefore, for it or similarities)

the subjective can be qualitative, differ from case studies

views of a quantitative, in that a case study covers

researche or a combination investigation

r on a particular of both approaches within

situation (with both individual

play a vital part in the study results. represented cases, while the comparative

Another equally method

characteristic or one approach does not.

of qualitative prevailing Qualitative

research and the other supplementing). methods

is its idiographic Qualitative are closely

approach and quantitative linked

3 results to case studies.

(Vogrinc should A case study is considered

2008, complement by some researchers

p. 14), which emphasizes each other to create to be a part of qualitative

an individual’s a research

perspective meaningful – a type and, sometimes,

on the investigative whole a method

situation, according or scientific

process, to the object approach.

relations, and purpose In this article,

etc. (ibid., p. 19). The interpretative of the investigation case studies

paradigm, (Sa- are placed

phenomenological gadin 2004, p. 89). within

approach, We should the qualitative

and constructivism also clarify some other terms, field and viewed

4 such as “comparative as a qualitative

as a paradigmatic methods,” research

basis of qualitative “case type, although

research study methods,” the fact

are and “qualitative that they can contain

closely methods.” some quantitative

linked Comparative elements,

to the definition methods especially

and characteristics (comparing regarding

of case studies. a research

A case study is small amount questions and goals, is also taken

into account
therefore of cases and exploring
ncyclopaedic
more qualitative facts, relations,
reference
than quantitative or processes
provides
in nature, in order to find
a thorough
but not exclusively, differences
overview or program this, we can conclude

of the design (ibid., that in spite of their widespread

and methods p. xxxi). use and popularity,

in case study research D. A. de Vaus (in Thomas case

as a guidance 2011, p. 511) stated, studies

for students, “Most research are characterized

researchers, methods by ambiguities

and professionals texts and inconsistencies

who are trying either in understanding

to in- ignore their definition,

corporate case studies subjects

case studies or confuse of investigation,

into a rigorous it with other types of social

research.”
research
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