Understanding Study Case as Research Design by John Creswell
A case study, as defined by Creswell, is a qualitative research method that provides an in-depth examination of a single entity (e.g., an organization, program, event, or individual) within its real-world context [1]. It allows researchers to explore a phenomenon comprehensively, uncovering rich details and complexities that might be missed by other methods.
Types of Case Studies:
Creswell further classifies case studies into three main types based on the research objective [1, 2]:
- Single-Case Instrumental: This type focuses on using a single case to understand a broader issue or test a theory. For instance, studying a specific communication campaign’s effectiveness to gain insights into persuasive communication strategies.
- Multiple-Case: This approach involves examining multiple cases to identify patterns or make comparisons. An example could be studying communication strategies used by different social media influencers to understand their impact on audience engagement.
- Intrinsic Case Study: Here, the case itself is the main focus of the research. The goal is to provide a detailed description and analysis of a unique or critical case. This could involve studying a historical event that significantly impacted communication practices.
Data Collection in Case Studies:
Researchers employ various data collection methods in case studies, including [1, 2]:
- Interviews (individual or group)
- Document analysis (e.g., reports, emails, social media posts)
- Observations
- Archival research
Benefits of Case Studies:
- In-depth understanding of complex phenomena within context.
- Rich data collection through diverse methods.
- Valuable for exploring new areas of research or investigating unique cases.
Limitations of Case Studies:
- Generalizability of findings can be limited due to the focus on a single or few cases.
- Potential for researcher bias in data collection and interpretation.
Sources:
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Creswell, John W. “Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Traditions.” Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2014.
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Stake, Robert E. “The Case Study Method in Social Inquiry.” Educational Researcher, vol. 11, no. 7, 1995, pp. 33-41.
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Yin, Robert K. “Case Study Research: Design and Methods.” Applied Social Research Methods Series, vol. 5, Sage Publications, Inc., 2009