Types of Research - Case Study

Case study

a research method to gain a better understanding of a subject or process. Case studies involve in-depth research into a given subject, in order to understand it’s functionality and successes. 

Mostly importantly: case studies are stories. In particular, business case studies tell the story of how your product or service helped a person or a company achieve their goals.

·         A case study is a research methodology that has commonly used in social sciences.

·         A case study is a research strategy and an empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon within its real-life context.

·         Case studies are based on an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group or event to explore the causes of underlying principles.

·         A case study is a descriptive and exploratory analysis of a person, group or event.

·         A case study reserach can be single or multiple case studies, includes quantitative evidence, relies on multiple sources of evidence and benefits from the prior development of theoritical propositions.

·         Case studies are analysis of persons, groups, events, decisions, periods, policies, institutions or other systems that are studied holistically by one or more methods.

Advantages of Case Study

1. ntensive Study. Case study method is responsible for intensive study of a unit. It is the investigation and exploration of an event thoroughly and deeply.
2. No Sampling. It studies a social unit in its entire perspectives. It means there is no sampling in case study method.
3. Continuous Analysis. It is valuable in analyzing continuously the life of a social unit to dig out the facts.
4. Hypothesis Formulation. This method is useful for formulation of hypothesis for further study.
5. Comparisons. It compares different type of facts about the study of a unity.
6. Increase in Knowledge. It gives the analytical power of a person to increase knowledge about a social phenomena.
7. Generalization of Data. Case study method provides grounds for generalization of data for illustrating statistical findings.
8. Comprehensive. It is a comprehensive method of data collection in social research.
9. Locate Deviant Cases. The deviant cases are these units which behave against the proposed hypothesis. So, it locate these deviant cases. The tendency is to ignore them but are important for scientific study.
10. Farming Questionnaire or Schedule. Through case study method we can formulate and develop a questionnaire and schedule.

Disadvantages of Case Study

1. Limited Representatives. Due to as narrow focuses a case study has limited representatives and generalization is impossible.
2. No Classification. Any classification is not possible due to studying a small unit.
3. Possibility of Errors. Case study method may have the errors of memory and judgment.
4. Subjective Method. It is a subjective method rather than objective.
5. No Easy and Simple. This method is very difficult and no layman can conduct this method.
6. Bias Can Occur. Due to narrow study the discrimination & bias can occurs in the investigation of a social unit.
7. No Fixed Limits. This method is depend on situation and have no fixed limits of investigation of the researcher.
8. Costly and Time Consuming. This method is more costly and time consuming as compare to other methods of data collection.

Example of Case Study

• Highlight the key take away from the case study. ...
• Use icons to summarize information. ...
• Use data to make concrete points. ...
• Add direct quotes into your case study. ...
• Use high contrast shapes and colors to draw attention to key information. ...
• Conduct a case study by researching the company holistically.
• Cover short term and long term goals in your case study
• Use emotive, persuasive, or action based language in your case study
• Use a monochromatic color palette to create a professional and clean case study
• Keep your potential customers in mind when creating a case study

References

PressAcademia. (2020). Definition of Case Study. [online] Available at: https://www.pressacademia.org/definition-of-case-study/ [Accessed 9 Apr. 2020].

Study Lecture Notes. (2013). Advantages & Disadvantages of Case Study Method of Data Collection | Study Lecture Notes. [online] Available at: http://studylecturenotes.com/advantages-disadvantages-of-case-study-method-of-data-collection/ [Accessed 9 Apr. 2020].

Venngage. (2019). 15+ Professional Case Study Examples [Design Tips + Templates] - Venngage. [online] Available at: https://venngage.com/blog/case-study-examples/ [Accessed 9 Apr. 2020].