A case study research paper is a way to make a precise exploration of a person, location, phenomenon or a circumstance aimed to reveal certain regularities, patterns, and features of the problem. As a rule, one separate object or subject are being investigated, but sometimes the comparative analysis can be implemented Jun 16, · Case studies of individuals in health care research (to take one example) often involve in-depth interviews with participants and key informants, review of the medical records, observation, and excerpts from patients’ personal writings and The case study research design is also useful for testing whether scientific theories and models actually work in the real world. You may come out with a great computer model for describing how the ecosystem of a rock pool works but it is only by trying it out on a real life pool that you can see if it is a realistic simulation
The case study approach
In the social sciences, the term case study refers to both a method of analysis and a specific research design for examining a problem, both of which can be used to generalize findings across populations, case study researches.
This tab focuses on the latter--how to design and organize a research paper that analyzes a specific case. A case study research paper usually examines a single subject of analysis, but case study papers can also be designed as a comparative investigation that shows relationships between two or case study researches subjects, case study researches. The methods used to study a case can rest within a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method investigative paradigm.
Case Studies, case study researches. Writing CSU. Colorado State University; Mills, Albert J. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research. Case Study Research: What, Why and How?
London: SAGE, General information about how to choose a topic to investigate can be found under the " Choosing a Research Problem " tab in this writing guide. Review this page because it may help you identify a subject of analysis that can be investigated using a single case case study researches design. However, identifying a case to investigate involves more than choosing the research problem.
A case study encompasses a problem contextualized around the application of in-depth analysis, interpretation, case study researches, and discussion, often resulting in specific recommendations for action or for improving existing conditions. As Seawright and Gerring note, practical considerations such as time and access to information can influence case selection, but these issues should not be the sole factors used in describing the methodological justification for identifying a particular case to study.
Given this, selecting a case includes considering the following:. Eisenhardt, Kathleen M. Sampling and Choosing Cases in Qualitative Research: A Realist Approach, case study researches. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, ; Gerring, John, case study researches. Thousand Oaks, case study researches, CA: SAGE Publications, ; Seawright, Jason and John Gerring. The purpose of a paper in the social sciences designed around a case study is to thoroughly case study researches a subject of analysis in order to reveal a new understanding about the research problem and, case study researches, in so doing, contributing new knowledge to what is already known from previous studies, case study researches.
In applied social sciences disciplines [e. In general, the structure of a case study research paper is not all that different from a standard college-level research paper. However, there are subtle differences case study researches should be aware of. Here are the key elements to organizing and writing a case study research paper. As with any research paper, your introduction should serve as a roadmap for your readers to ascertain the scope and purpose of your study.
The introduction to a case study research paper, however, should not only describe the research problem and its significance, but you should also succinctly describe why the case is being used and how it relates to addressing the problem. The two elements should be linked. With this in mind, a good introduction answers these four questions:. Each of these questions should be addressed in no more than a few paragraphs. Exceptions to this can be when you are addressing a complex research problem or subject of analysis that requires more in-depth background information, case study researches.
Literature Review. The literature review for a case study research paper is generally structured the same as it is for any college-level research paper. The difference, however, case study researches, is that the literature review is focused on providing background information and enabling historical interpretation of the subject of analysis in relation to the research problem the case is intended to address. This includes synthesizing studies that help to:.
In this section, you explain why you selected a particular case case study researches. The way you describe the methods used varies depending on the type of subject of analysis that constitutes your case study. If your subject of analysis is an incident or event.
In the social and behavioral sciences, the event or incident that represents the case to be studied is usually bounded by time and place, with a clear beginning and end and with an identifiable location or position relative to its surroundings.
The subject of analysis can be a rare or critical event or it can focus on a typical or regular event. The purpose of studying a rare event is to illuminate new ways of thinking about the broader research problem or to test a case study researches. Critical incident case study researches studies must describe the method by which you identified the event and explain the process by which you determined the validity of this case to inform broader perspectives about the research problem or to reveal new findings.
However, the event does not have to be a rare or uniquely significant to support new thinking about the research problem or to challenge an existing hypothesis. For example, Walo, Bull, and Breen conducted a case study to identify and evaluate the direct and indirect economic benefits and costs of a local sports event in the City of Lismore, case study researches, New South Wales, Australia.
The purpose of their study was to provide new insights from measuring the impact of a typical local sports event case study researches prior studies could not measure well because they focused on large "mega-events. If your subject of analysis is a person. Explain why you selected this particular individual to be studied and describe what experiences they have had that provide an opportunity to advance new understandings about the research problem, case study researches. Mention any background about this person which might help the reader understand the significance of their experiences that make them worthy of study.
It is particularly important to differentiate the person as the subject of analysis from others and to succinctly explain how the person relates to examining the research problem [e. Note that these issues apply to a specific group of people used as a case study unit of analysis [e.
If your subject of analysis is a place. In general, a case study that investigates a place suggests a subject of analysis that is unique or special in some way and that case study researches uniqueness can be used to build new understanding or knowledge about the research problem. A case study of a place must not only describe its various attributes relevant to the research problem [e. It is also important to articulate why a particular place as the case for study is being used if similar places also exist [i.
If applicable, case study researches, describe what type of human activity involving this place makes it a good choice to study [e, case study researches. If your subject of analysis is a phenomenon. A phenomenon refers to a fact, occurrence, case study researches, or circumstance that can be studied or observed but with the cause or explanation to be in question.
In this sense, a phenomenon that forms your subject of analysis can encompass anything that can be observed or presumed to exist but is not fully understood, case study researches. In the social and behavioral sciences, the case usually focuses on human interaction within a complex physical, social, economic, cultural, or political system.
For example, the phenomenon could be the observation that many vehicles used by ISIS fighters are small trucks with English language advertisements on them.
The research problem could be that ISIS fighters are difficult to combat because they are highly mobile. The research questions could be how and by what means are these vehicles used by ISIS being supplied to the militants and how might supply lines to these vehicles be cut off?
How might knowing the suppliers of these trucks reveal larger networks of collaborators and financial support? A case study of a phenomenon most often encompasses an in-depth analysis of a cause and effect that is grounded in an interactive relationship between people and their environment in some way. NOTE: The choice of the case or set of cases to study cannot appear random. Evidence that supports the method by which you identified and chose your subject of analysis should clearly support investigation of the research problem and linked to key findings from your literature review.
Be sure to cite any studies that helped you determine that the case you chose was appropriate for examining the problem. The main elements of your discussion section are generally the same as any research paper, but centered around interpreting and drawing conclusions about the key findings from your analysis of the case study.
Note that a general social sciences research paper may contain a separate section to report findings. However, in a paper designed around a case study, it is common to combine a description of the results with the discussion about their implications.
The case study researches of your discussion section should include the following:. You should then describe the findings revealed from your study of the case using direct, declarative, and succinct proclamation of the study results. Highlight any findings that were unexpected or case study researches profound. Explain the Meaning of the Findings and Why They are Important Systematically explain the meaning of your case study findings and why you believe they are important. Begin this part of the section by repeating what you consider to be your most important or surprising finding first, case study researches, then systematically review each finding.
Be sure to thoroughly extrapolate what your analysis of the case can tell the reader about situations or conditions beyond the actual case that was studied while, at the same time, being careful not to misconstrue or conflate a finding that undermines the external validity of your conclusions.
Relate the Findings to Similar Studies No study in the social sciences is so novel or possesses such a restricted focus that it has absolutely no relation to previously published research, case study researches. The discussion section should relate your case study results to those found in other studies, particularly if questions raised from prior studies served as the motivation for choosing your subject of analysis.
This is important because comparing and contrasting the findings of other studies helps support the overall importance of your results and it highlights how and in what ways your case study design and the subject of analysis differs from prior research about the topic.
Consider Alternative Explanations of the Findings Remember that the purpose of social science research is case study researches discover and not to prove. When writing the discussion section, you should carefully consider all possible explanations revealed by the case study results, rather than just those that fit your hypothesis or prior assumptions and biases. Be alert to what the in-depth analysis of the case may reveal about the research problem, including offering a contrarian perspective to what scholars have stated in prior research if that is how the findings can be case study researches from your case.
Acknowledge the Study's Limitations You can state the study's limitations in the conclusion section of your paper but describing the limitations of your subject of analysis in the discussion section provides an opportunity to identify the limitations and explain why they are not significant, case study researches. This part of the discussion section should also note any unanswered questions or issues your case study could not address.
More detailed information about how to document any limitations to your research can be found here. Suggest Areas for Further Research Although your case study may offer important insights about the research problem, case study researches are likely additional questions related to the problem that remain unanswered or findings that unexpectedly revealed themselves as case study researches result of your in-depth analysis of the case.
Be sure that the recommendations for further research are linked to the research problem and that you explain why your recommendations are valid in other contexts and based on the original assumptions of your study.
As with any research paper, you should summarize your conclusion in clear, case study researches, simple language; emphasize how the findings from your case study differs from or supports prior research and why. Do not simply reiterate the discussion section. Provide a synthesis of key findings presented in the paper to show how these converge to address the research problem. If you haven't already done so in the discussion section, be sure to document the limitations of your case study and any need for further research.
The function of your paper's conclusion is to: 1 reiterate the main argument supported by the findings from your case study; 2 state clearly the context, background, and necessity case study researches pursuing the research problem using a case study design in relation to an issue, controversy, or a gap found from reviewing the literature; and, 3 provide a place to persuasively and succinctly restate the significance case study researches your research problem, given that the reader has now been presented with in-depth information about the topic.
Consider the following points to help ensure your conclusion is appropriate:. Note that, depending on the discipline you are writing in or the preferences of your professor, the concluding paragraph may contain your final case study researches on the evidence presented as it applies to practice or on the case study researches central research problem.
However, the nature of being introspective about the subject of analysis you have investigated will depend on whether you are explicitly asked to express your observations in this way. Problems to Avoid. Overgeneralization One of the goals of a case study is to lay a foundation for understanding broader trends case study researches issues applied to similar circumstances.
However, be careful when drawing conclusions from your case study. They must be evidence-based and grounded in the results of the study; otherwise, case study researches, it is merely speculation.
Types of Case Study [Explanation with Examples]
, time: 6:03Case Study Researches on Public Policies in Asia and the Pacific - SEARCA
The case study research design is also useful for testing whether scientific theories and models actually work in the real world. You may come out with a great computer model for describing how the ecosystem of a rock pool works but it is only by trying it out on a real life pool that you can see if it is a realistic simulation Jun 16, · Case studies of individuals in health care research (to take one example) often involve in-depth interviews with participants and key informants, review of the medical records, observation, and excerpts from patients’ personal writings and Oct 04, · In the social sciences, the term case study refers to both a method of analysis and a specific research design for examining a problem, both of which can be used to generalize findings across populations. This tab focuses on the latter--how to design and organize a research paper that analyzes a specific blogger.com: Robert V. Labaree
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