Definition
A
case study is an in-depth examination of a particular individual, group, organization, event, policy, or other types of subjects within real-life contexts. It is a research method commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research to gain an understanding of complex issues or phenomena and to generate in-depth knowledge.
Structure of a Case Study
- Executive Summary: A brief overview of the case study, including the main findings and conclusions.
- Introduction: Sets the stage by providing background information and stating the problem or challenge addressed by the case study.
- Subject and Context: Describes the subject being studied (e.g., a company, an event, a person) and the context in which it exists.
- Problem Description: Details the specific issues or challenges that the subject is facing.
- Methodology: Explains the methods used to gather data and analyze the subject.
- Findings: Presents the data or information gathered during the research, often including qualitative and quantitative results.
- Analysis: Interprets the findings, discussing how they address the problem or challenge and what they mean in the broader context.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the insights or solutions that emerged from the case study and suggests possible implications or recommendations.
- References: Lists the sources of information used in the case study.
- Appendices: Provides supplementary material that is relevant to the case study but not integral to its main text.
Types of Case Studies
- Explanatory: Aimed at understanding causation or underlying principles.
- Exploratory: Conducted before more detailed investigation to identify the scope of the issue.
- Descriptive: Provides a detailed account of an event or phenomenon.
- Intrinsic: Focuses on a unique or interesting case that is studied in detail.
- Instrumental: Provides insight into an issue or refines a theoretical explanation.
- Collective: Involves studying a group of cases in order to investigate a phenomenon, population, or general condition.
Conclusion
Case studies are a valuable research tool that can provide in-depth insights into complex issues in real-world settings. They are particularly useful when the boundaries between the phenomenon being studied and the context are not clearly defined. While they have limitations in terms of generalizability, they can generate rich, detailed data that can form the basis for further research and understanding.
