Case Studies — Purpose and Design

Research Methods — Week 10. From the comprehensive notes.

What is case study research?

Detailed study of one or more cases within their natural setting, often over time.

What may count as a case?

A person, group, organization, or other bounded unit relevant to the research question.

Why study processes in their natural setting?

To understand how context and events interact as they occur.

Why can a case study be useful for rare phenomena?

Large samples may not exist, but detailed examination can still extend understanding.

Does a small number of cases mean the study has no value?

No. Depth, theoretical insight, and contextual understanding can provide value without statistical representativeness.