In his dissertation, Bent Flyvbjerg examines the definition of a case study. In doing so, Flyvbjerg points out five common misunderstandings about the validity of case studies and provides explanations to contest and refute the misconceptions. To elucidate, the Flyvbjerg’s identifies the first misunderstanding in the practice of case studies as the perspective that places theoretical knowledge as more valuable than practical knowledge. Flyvbjerg emphasizes that the knowledge achieved from case studies are a pertinent and necessary skill for beginners and that practical knowledge in case studies provides the essential experience for beginners to advance to an expert level. Flyvbjerg relates his point to the context of Harvard University
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Instead, Flyvbjerg states case studies are valid and valuable through all process of research and theory building development. A case studies’ validity towards the research process is dependent on specific selective cases. Now, Flyvbjerg states that a strategic selection produces a larger in-depth quantity of information. This strategic selection encompasses many factors which include random selection, information-oriented selection, critical cases, and paradigmatic selections. The goal of these strategies would allow for the generalizability of case studies to increase and therefore reduce the misunderstanding that surrounds the purpose and reclaims its value in both hypothesis and theory building and other potential research …show more content…
Flyvbjerg responds by stating that case studies should not necessarily be summarized because of its value could be “lost when one tries to sum up in large and mutually exclusive concepts” (Peattie, 2001; Flyvbjerg 2007). Rather, Flyvberg claims that case studies are better left as narratives. By doing so, different individuals have the ability to create their own interpretations and conclusions than being directed towards one theoretical answer or conclusion. In principle, this encompasses the true importance of case studies as it is perceived uniquely by different people and mirrors accurately the many aspects of human
Instead, Flyvbjerg states case studies are valid and valuable through all process of research and theory building development. A case studies’ validity towards the research process is dependent on specific selective cases. Now, Flyvbjerg states that a strategic selection produces a larger in-depth quantity of information. This strategic selection encompasses many factors which include random selection, information-oriented selection, critical cases, and paradigmatic selections. The goal of these strategies would allow for the generalizability of case studies to increase and therefore reduce the misunderstanding that surrounds the purpose and reclaims its value in both hypothesis and theory building and other potential research …show more content…
Flyvbjerg responds by stating that case studies should not necessarily be summarized because of its value could be “lost when one tries to sum up in large and mutually exclusive concepts” (Peattie, 2001; Flyvbjerg 2007). Rather, Flyvberg claims that case studies are better left as narratives. By doing so, different individuals have the ability to create their own interpretations and conclusions than being directed towards one theoretical answer or conclusion. In principle, this encompasses the true importance of case studies as it is perceived uniquely by different people and mirrors accurately the many aspects of human