A case study is a type of qualitative descriptive research that focuses on the experiences of a single person, group, or event. The objective of a case study is to provide insights into a phenomenon and answer a research question. The study should not be too technical and should follow a narrative determined in the first step. Case studies also make use of scientific facts, but not in a dry, academic way.
Case studies are a form of qualitative descriptive research
A case study is a type of descriptive research that focuses on a single person or group of people, a social institution, a neighborhood, a national society, or a global process. Many case studies use more than one case, and the authors select these cases according to theory or prior knowledge. In some cases, an extreme or critical case is used to test a hypothesis. The authors often write about the findings of the case study, and the reader is left with a more in-depth understanding of the research and conclusions.
Case studies are a popular type of descriptive research, and they can be quite rich. While these studies are essentially narratives, they can also involve textual analysis. The main goal of case studies is to gain a full understanding of the case and bring together all relevant aspects. The style of writing varies depending on the type of research being conducted. Some are written in the style of a standard scientific paper, with separate sections for methods, results, and discussion. Others are narratives that explore the case from different perspectives, analyzing its meaning and evaluating its limitations.
They are studies of one person, group, or event
To write a case study, you must first choose a subject, such as a business. You can also conduct research on an individual or group of people. After selecting a subject, you will need to draft a release form, which must be signed by the subject. Depending on the research method you choose, a case study may be written in the form of a standard scientific paper, with separate sections for methods, results, and discussion. Other case studies are written in a narrative style, aiming to explore the case from multiple perspectives and analyze its meanings. You may even use textual analysis to help you craft a case study.
There are many different types of case studies, but the most common are company-based. They are a common form of research, and many business schools teach students how to use case studies to solve problems. Similarly, event-based case studies focus on societal or cultural events, such as a natural disaster. The Tylenol cyanide scandal was an example of such an event. It not only affected the Johnson & Johnson company, but also the public.
They provide insights into a phenomenon
Using case studies to understand the causes of a phenomenon is a powerful method for revealing trends and identifying solutions. In addition to providing insight into a phenomenon, case studies can provide foundations for studying similar issues or trends. However, when using case studies to explain a phenomenon, it is important to avoid speculative conclusions and use empirical evidence whenever possible. For instance, a case study about girls’ access to social media in Azerbaijan could provide insight into the lack of education among girls in that country.
Case studies can take many forms. The most common form of case studies is a narrative report that describes one individual or a small group. They contain detailed descriptions of individual subjects or situations and draw conclusions about what happened in that particular instance. Although they are largely descriptive, case studies are often accompanied by a critical analysis of the findings. Case study authors attempt to give readers context to understand the decisions they made based on first-hand observations.
They answer a question posed by the researcher
A case study is a written account of a specific event in which the results are based on scientific facts. It is written in a manner that makes it easy to understand and does not use too much technical language. The author should write in plain English, using minimal jargon. Case studies are commonly used for marketing and advertising purposes. To create a case study, use the following tips:
Descriptive or illustrative case studies present concrete narrative detail and provide examples of the phenomenon being studied. A descriptive case study could focus on the experience of a postpartum mother, a young adult aging out of the foster care system, or a specific individual. Exploratory case studies serve as a preliminary step to a larger research project. They help the researcher narrow their focus, draft a specific research question, and guide the parameters of a formal, large-scale study.
They include multiple sources of evidence
Multi-source cases can be analyzed and interpreted using case study methods. The study methodology involves gathering data, making sense of it, and triangulating multiple streams of information to arrive at a final conclusion. Figure 1 shows an example of data used in a case study. In depth data collection and analysis usually follows a pilot study to ensure that all variables are considered equally. Case studies also allow for multiple forms of evidence to be used, including qualitative, quantitative, and expert opinion.