Quick Start to Case Study Research

Definition

Case study refers to both the process of inquiry (how we study the case) and the product of that inquiry (the write-up or representation of the case). A case study is a systematic way of looking at what is often termed a bounded system, meaning one entity that has distinct limitations or a finite size. Examples of case studies may include any event or practice that occurs repeatedly over a particular duration of time, such as triaging practices in an emergency room, or a singular event such as the election of the first African American U.S. President, Barack Obama (bounded in part by the 22-month campaign and the single focus on one president) Alternatively, a case may focus on a phenomenon such as Canadian “snowbirds” (senior Canadians who winter in Florida), the case being bound by the criteria of this one behavior. A single traumatic event frozen in time, such as the Columbine tragedy, may also be subject of a case study.

Purpose

The purpose of case study research is twofold: (1) to provide descriptive information and (2) to suggest theoretical relevance. Rich description enables an in-depth or sharpened understanding of the case. Attention to theoretical relevance facilitates the emergence of concepts that can shape theory (which is simply a coherent set of ideas that are proposed to explain, predict, and sometimes control phenomena).

Data Sources

To get rich descriptions and make relevant theoretical connections, observational data are often collected (sometimes noted/coded or captured through technology); interviews are conducted (often captured through technology); artifacts are compiled (documents, works in progress, etc.), and research field notes are kept for preliminary and later analyses.

Field Work

Robert Stake notes that the essence of field work (actually collecting the data at the research site) involves spending extended time, on site, personally in contact with activities and operations of the case, reflecting and revising meanings of what is occurring. He emphasizes the importance of bringing your best intellect to the work and a heightened awareness and respect for culturally specific perceptions of phenomena.

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