Case Study

Question 1

Brief Description of Case Study

Answer 1

Case study inquiry is defined as a qualitative approach in which the investigator explores a real-life, contemporary bounded system (a case) or multiple bounded systems (cases) over time, through detailed, in-depth data collection involving multiple data sources (e.g., observations, interviews, audiovisual material, and documents and reports), and reports a case description and case themes.

Question 2

According to Stake (2005) is case study research a methodology or a choice to be studied? What is Denzin & Lincoln’s (2005) take?

Answer 2

Stake (2005) states that case study research is not a methodology but a choice of what is to be studied (i.e., a case within a bounded system, bounded by time and place) whereas others present it as a strategy of inquiry, a methodology, or a comprehensive research strategy (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005; Merriam & Tisdell, 2015; Yin, 2014).

Question 3

What is the purpose of a case study?

Answer 3

The purpose of a case study is to generate understanding and deep insights to inform professional practice, policy development, and community or social action.

Question 4

According to Yin (2018), what is the “foundational trilogy” of case study?

Answer 4

Yin (2018) refers to the “foundational trilogy” in that case study research refers to the mode of inquiry, or genre; case studies refer to the method of inquiry, or research method; while case(s) refers to the unit of inquiry in a case study.

Question 5

Case studies have been described as best suited to research that asks “___” and “___” questions (Stake, 2005; Yin, 2003).

Answer 5

“how” and “why”

Question 6

Case study philosophy according to Yin (2003, 2018)

Answer 6

Yin categorizes case studies as exploratory or descriptive. Exploratory is used to explore those situations in which the intervention being evaluated has no single set of outcomes. Descriptive is used to describe an intervention or phenomenon and the real-life context in which it occurred. Yin’s research is post-positivist.

Question 7

Case study philosophy according to Stake (1995, 2005)

Answer 7

Stake categorizes case studies as intrinsic or instrumental. He proposes a primary distinction in designing case studies is between single and multiple (or collective) case study designs. A single case study may be an instrumental case study (research focuses on an issue or concern in one bounded case) or an intrinsic case study (the focus is on the case itself because the case presents a unique situation.) A multiple case study design is used when a researcher seeks to determine the prevalence or frequency of a particular phenomenon. This is useful for purposes of cross-case analysis in order to compare, contrast, and synthesize perspectives regarding the same issue. Stake’s research is interpretivist.

Question 8

Recent trends indicate that case study methodology has developed along two very broad, distinct paths (Schwandt & Gates, 2018). Please describe.

Answer 8

One pathway aligns with interpretive constructivist philosophy, with the goal of describing and explaining how everyday practices in specific places are connected to larger structures and processes.
The second pathway is critical orientation, which follows the lines of critical theory. (A key assumption of this latter approach is the application of explanations that contribute to understanding beyond the case at hand, thereby looking for underlying mechanisms, conditions, and capacities that might be evidence of contributory factors.)

Interpretive paradigm based on relativist ontology and subjectivist epistemology is the preferred option where meanings are constructed socially.

Question 9

Assumptions of case study

Answer 9

Reflects a bounded system (specific timeframe and specific place where the case is located) or a case or multiple cases. It can be defined or described within certain parameters.

The number of unit to be studied is small.
It studies a social unit deeply and thoroughly.
It is qualitative as well as quantitative.
It covers sufficient wide cycle of time.
It has continuity in nature.
The assumption of uniformity in the basic human nature in spite of the fact that human behavior may vary according to situations.
The assumption of studying the natural history of the unit concerned.
The assumption of comprehensive study of the unit concerned.

Question 10

Research focus of approach of case study

Answer 10

Developing an in-depth description and analysis of a case or multiple cases

Question 11

Unit of analysis of case study

Answer 11

The unit of analysis in the case study may be multiple cases (a multi-site study) or a single case, a within site study).

Studying an event, a program, an activity, or more than one individual

Question 12

Type of research problem best suited for case study

Answer 12

Providing an in-depth understanding of a case or cases

Case studies are a preferred strategy when the researcher has little control over events and when the focus is on contemporary phenomenon within some real-life context (Yin, 1994).

Question 13

Nature of disciplinary origins of case study

Answer 13

Drawing from psychology (Freud), law (case law), political science (case reports), and medicine (case analysis of a problem)

Question 14

Forms of case study data collection

Answer 14

Using multiple sources (triangulation), such as interviews, observations, documents, and artifacts. Each data source a piece of the puzzle, with each piece contributing to the researcher’s understanding of the whole phenomenon.

Question 15

Case study data collection tools

Answer 15

Data collection tools: interview protocols, moderator guides, document rubrics, artifact rubrics, observation rubrics, discourse/conversational tools.

Question 16

Strategies of data analysis for case study

Answer 16

Analyzing data through description of the case and themes of the case, as well as cross-case themes

Question 17

What is traditionally studied in a case study or case studies?

Answer 17

A bounded system, such as a process, an activity, an event, a program, or multiple individuals

Question 18

What are typical access and rapport procedures in case study?

Answer 18

Gaining access to the gatekeeper, gaining the confidence of participants

Question 19

How does one select a site or individuals (purposeful sampling strategies) for case study?

Answer 19

Finding a case or cases, an atypical case, or a maximum variation or extreme case

Purposeful sampling strategy

Question 20

What type of information is typically collected (forms of data) in a case study or case studies ?

Answer 20

Interviews, focus groups, observations, extensive forms, such as documents and records, and physical artifacts for 1 to 4 cases.

Question 21

How is information recorded in a case study or case studies?

Answer 21

Field notes, interviews, and observational protocols

Question 22

Methods of Interpreting Data in case study?

Answer 22

Themes generation and coding is the most recognized and used analysis method for qualitative empirical material. Text is used for analysis in such studies. For example, the systematic process of interpretation can start with the initial transcription of audio recording of interviews. During the course of empirical material collection, transcription can be done on NVivo software. The reason of transcription during the empirical material collection stage would be to modify the interview guide for future interviews. Initial transcriptions of the interviews are followed by cross-checking with field notes developed by authors during the interview stage. The point of cross-checking the transcribed interviews with field notes is to see whether any details were missed during the transcription. A cooperative research process (Gummesson, 2002) follows. It can range from the verification of interview transcription, empirical material interpretation, and discussion of the final framework. By doing this, participants are provided a chance to verify whether the transcription/analysis was accurate. Interactions with research participants play an important role in idea generation and concept testing. This process also allows informants to provide feedback and suggestions to further improve and strengthen the findings of the study.

Question 23

Guiding question for case study:

Answer 23

How do stakeholders describe this process or event, and what does it tell us about future practices?

Question 24

Key words to use in encoding the purpose statement of a case study:

Answer 24

Case study, bounded, single or collective case, event, process, program individual

Question 25

Research question key words for case study:

Answer 25

Report, describe, assess

Question 26

Critiques of case study

Answer 26

One caveat is that case studies may not have clear beginning and end points, and deciding on boundaries that adequately surround the case can be challenging. Another potential vulnerability is that the case may turn out not to be the case it was thought to be at the outset, and as Yin (2018) recommends, single case designs particularly require careful investigation in order to minimize the chances of misrepresentation and to maximize the access needed to collect data.

Question 27

Interview protocol for case study

Answer 27

Semi-Structured Interview Protocol