Over the last 40 years, case study research has undergone substantial changes through its use in research. These changes are born out of the parallel influences from historical approaches to research and the researchers preferences, perspectives and interpretations of the research. Key to these variations are the ontological and epistemological orientations of the individuals who have been involved in the evolution. There have been a variety of designs recommended in the preparation, planning and conducting of case study research with advice on the main considerations for achieving success. While case studies as a research method has evolved to be a pragmatic, flexible research approach, the variations in its definition, application, validity
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Case study research is often used an approach to collect a picture of an entity, using a variety of data collection methods which can help gather the views, feelings, perceptions and experience of a diverse range of individuals or groups. They can be a powerful way to portray a phenomenon fully depicting the research individuals or groups experience. Case studies may provide a more detailed view of a case that might not be evident through other methods of research. They allow the researcher to present their data and findings from multiple methods, such as interviews, questionnaires, observations and focus groups, which is a form of triangulation (i.e. when a researcher uses two or more methods to gather their data). They allow the researcher to include a lot more detail to be collected which would not normally be easily obtained through other research designs. The data which is collected is normally a lot richer and of greater depth than can be found through other experimental …show more content…
Firstly, that case studies are often accused of lack of rigour. Yin (1984:21) notes that “too many times, the case study investigator has been sloppy, and has allowed equivocal evidence or biased views to influence the direction of the findings and conclusions”. Secondly, that due to the small number of participants, especially if only one is used, involved they provide little evidence for a scientific generalisation, asking the question “How can you generalise from a single case?” (Yin, 1984:21). Finally, that they take up a lot of time and can produce a substantial amount of documentation (Yin, 1984).
Example of a case study in an educational context
‘Fostering interdisciplinary research in universities: a case study of leadership, alignment and support’ is an example of a case study within an educational context. The researchers presented a case study which looked at the actions which have been designed to foster interdisciplinary research efforts at a major university in the UK. The researchers used surveys and interviews in order to collect their data.
The study employed a descriptive mixed method case study approach to collecting and analysing the data used to draw its conclusions. One hundred and twenty-seven academic staff responded to the survey. The results of the survey
Case study research is often used an approach to collect a picture of an entity, using a variety of data collection methods which can help gather the views, feelings, perceptions and experience of a diverse range of individuals or groups. They can be a powerful way to portray a phenomenon fully depicting the research individuals or groups experience. Case studies may provide a more detailed view of a case that might not be evident through other methods of research. They allow the researcher to present their data and findings from multiple methods, such as interviews, questionnaires, observations and focus groups, which is a form of triangulation (i.e. when a researcher uses two or more methods to gather their data). They allow the researcher to include a lot more detail to be collected which would not normally be easily obtained through other research designs. The data which is collected is normally a lot richer and of greater depth than can be found through other experimental …show more content…
Firstly, that case studies are often accused of lack of rigour. Yin (1984:21) notes that “too many times, the case study investigator has been sloppy, and has allowed equivocal evidence or biased views to influence the direction of the findings and conclusions”. Secondly, that due to the small number of participants, especially if only one is used, involved they provide little evidence for a scientific generalisation, asking the question “How can you generalise from a single case?” (Yin, 1984:21). Finally, that they take up a lot of time and can produce a substantial amount of documentation (Yin, 1984).
Example of a case study in an educational context
‘Fostering interdisciplinary research in universities: a case study of leadership, alignment and support’ is an example of a case study within an educational context. The researchers presented a case study which looked at the actions which have been designed to foster interdisciplinary research efforts at a major university in the UK. The researchers used surveys and interviews in order to collect their data.
The study employed a descriptive mixed method case study approach to collecting and analysing the data used to draw its conclusions. One hundred and twenty-seven academic staff responded to the survey. The results of the survey