Pros and Cons of Using a Case Study in Research free essay sample

Case studies are bounded as they are reflective of a particular program, event, individual, or activity being studied at a particular place and time. Thus, Merriam (1988) described a case study as â€Å"an examination of a specific phenomena such as a program, an event, a person, a process, an institution, or social group† (p. 9). Over the years, case study research has evolved from its anthropological and sociological origins (Hamel, 1993). Case studies today have embraced a variety of approaches upon which to conduct case study research. According to Yin (1989) quantitative and qualitative inquiry are approaches to conducting case study research. Yet, Merriam (1988) promotes a more general approach to qualitative case studies. When conducting case studies, the type of case must be chosen. Depending on the situation, intrinsic case study-this may be used because of its uniqueness; an instrumental case study- which illustrates a particular issue; or a collective study-which more than one case is considered for exploration (Stake, 1995). Within case studies, purposeful sampling is commonly used as it allows the inquirer to select cases that expose multiple perspectives on the problem, event, individual, or issue they want to present (Creswell, 1998). In presenting the fruits of ethnographic inquiry, the inquirer narrates the story in chronological order of major events followed by a more detailed perspective of other events. In case studies, the exploration of multiple cases is embraced. However, when multiple cases are chosen, according to Creswell (1998) the inquirer must provide a within-case analysis-which details each case within the study; and a cross-case analysis-which is a thematic analysis across all cases within the study. Advantages There are several advantages to utilizing case study methodology as a form of research. One overarching benefit to this way of researching involves imagination and creativity. There are no set ways to go about assessing an individual, a group, or set of individuals or groups. Case study research can involve a mix of qualitative and quantitative measures and it can involve multiple data sources. Typically, case study research uses observations, interviews, and supporting documents to help fully understand and answer a question. In many instances, case study research may be the most effective research tool, depending on the topic area. Yin (1994) points out that case studies are the preferred strategy when â€Å"how† and â€Å"why† questions are posed. As the researcher begins to address a question, case study can often supply them with much more descriptive data. While surveys give a more summative figure of influence (for example, 200 surveys responses), case study research allows for the depth of a question to be explored and more fully understood. Case studies are an effective way of looking at the world around us. People and how they react in certain situations with dynamic and changing variables, and the role of outside factors in the understanding of complex systems and organizations, are better understood by utilizing methods such as case study. In a complex world where events cannot be fully understood with other research methods, case study research is useful to understand contemporary issues when the relevant behavior cannot be manipulated. Disadvantages One of the disadvantages of a case study is the difficulty in applying the findings from one subject to another. A limited number of samples are studied in depth and the results are often assumed to be the representative of the population. There is occasionally reluctance for research consumers to give credence to the results of a case study if the message is disputed due to the limited number of subjects involved. Depending on the scope of the research, the subject studied may not be completely forthcoming with the information they provide the researcher, thus impacting the internal validity of the research. In addition, if the subjects being studied know they are being watched, they may alter their behavior, thereby causing the findings to be flawed. In addition, there may background information on a subject, which is not known as a result; may impact the results of the findings. Additionally, the researcher gives up a certain amount of their control other variables when conducting a case study. Case studies are valuable in the fact they allow detailed research to be conducted on a limited research population. Therefore, this research is very specific and in-depth and contains very detailed written records about a subject. However, this causes the report surrounding the study to become very extensive and often difficult for the reader to digest. The researcher must be cognizant of this and strive to present the material in a fashion that allows it to be deciphered. The researcher uses case study to prove their theory is correct and therefore, may be more likely to use a wide scope to interpret the data. The researcher must be aware to report all of the findings and not just report what they feel is worthwhile and what is not. Case study design is very subjective and, if precautions are not taken, the validity of the interpretation may be called into question. Occasionally, the researcher, while knowing the expected results, may unknowingly guide the subject into confirming those results. This is referred to as the Pygmalion effect. Case studies are qualitative and there is debate that qualitative data is unscientific. In addition, there is question that the researchers are not systematic in the data collection and introduce bias into their findings. Case studies are longitudinal, which means they take place over a long period of time. Therefore, using a case study research design is a time consuming process. Challenges of Case Studies In conducting qualitative case studies, there are many challenges the inquirer should be aware of and strive to keep in mind such as (Creswell, 1998 p. 4); 1) there is no predetermined solution for the inquirer, thus, they must decide their own cases; 2) the inquirer must decide whether the case study will be single or multiple, if multiple, how many? ; 3) the inquirer must decide the rationale for their purposeful sampling strategy; 4) the inquirer must ensure they have collected enough data to present an in-depth description of the case under study (not enough information could limit the study); and 5) the inquirer must decide the boundaries of the case studyas it may or may not be constrained by time, events, and processes (foreseen and unforeseen). Data Analysis Case Study methodology provides the researcher the opportunity to explore a specific phenomenon through a variety of lenses in an authentic context and as a result a variety of facets of the phenomenon will be illuminated and explained. In a case study, multiple data sources are available to the researcher. According to Baxter and Jack in their article entitled, â€Å"Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and Implementation for the Novice Researchers,† they suggest the following as potential data sources: †¢ Documentation; †¢ Archival records; †¢ Interviews; Physical artifacts; †¢ Direct observations; †¢ Participant observations. Additionally, they point out that a researcher engaged in case study methodology can collect and integrate qualitative survey data in with the data sources mentioned in the above list. This is unique to case study methodology, as compared to the other qualitative methods. The integration of quantitativ e data into the case study methodology creates a holistic understanding of the situation. Another unique characteristic of the case study methodology is the fact that data collection and data analysis can occur concurrently. In the text, Practical Research: Planning and Design by Leedy and Ormrod, they indicate the following steps in data analysis for case study methodology: †¢ Organization of details about the case- arrange the specific â€Å"facts† of the case into a logical order; †¢ Categorization of data- cluster the data into meaningful groups; †¢ Interpretation of single instances- examine data to identify specific meaning to the case; †¢ Identification of patterns- pinpoint overarching themes and patterns in the data; †¢ Synthesis and generalizations- construct an overall portrait of the case. The fact that the data sources are so vast in case study methodology is beneficial to the researcher because there are multiple perspectives helping to promote a thorough understanding of the individual(s), program(s), or event(s) being investigated. However, the vastness of the data can also inhibit the researcher from maintaining a clear focus, and ultimately becoming â€Å"lost† in the data. In order to maintain a clear and focused case study, the data from the multiple sources should be viewed from a â€Å"big picture† perspective and not handled individually. Each data source is one piece of the â€Å"puzzle†, with each piece contributing to the researcher’s understanding of the whole phenomenon. (Baxter Jack, 2008) The data analysis in the case study methodology could be likened to weaving together the variety of data to create a vibrant tapestry that builds a clear understanding of the case under investigation. Composing the Report After the researcher has clearly laid out the purpose of the study, the process in which the data would be collected, and conducted a thorough analysis of the data findings will need to be communicated in a case narrative. The case narrative should be designed to richly and fully report the subject’s perceptions about the phenomenon being investigated. (P. D. Leedy, 2011) According to Leedy, there are five major components that should be included in a case study research report. These components are: (1) a rationale for studying the case, (2) a detailed description of facts related to the case, (3) a description of data that was collected, (4) a discussion of patterns found, and (5) a connection to the larger scheme of things. The structure of the written report is critical and each of these five elements must be clearly distinguishable within the structure of the report. An article written by Pamela Jack and Susan Baxter stated: â€Å"The goal of the report is to describe the study in such a comprehensive manner as to enable the reader to feel as if they had been an active participant in the research and can determine whether or not the study findings could be applied to their own situation. †(Jack, December 2008 ) If the steps for the analysis have been followed accurately then the structure for the written discussion will come naturally. Robert Yin (2003) suggests six methods for reporting a case study. These include: linear, comparative, chronological, theory building, suspense, and unsequenced. Each of these methods could be reviewed before the case study is actually written. Synopsis/Executive Summary An introduction to the case itself provides the rational of why the case was worthy of in-depth study. The introduction in a typical case study includes four elements: general statement; a statement of purpose; a brief description of the case; and a list of sections that will be included in the report. This portion of the report should provide general statements to introduce the reader to the overall topic of the report itself. (Jack, December 2008 ) It should provide a high level synopsis or executive summary for the reader to glance. The statement of purpose tells the reader the broader issue that will be examined by looking at a particular case. The description of the case serves to briefly introduce the actual situation being discussed in the case. Lastly the report should entail the list of sections to let the reader know how the report will be structured and what will be included in the report in an effort to allow for an easy read. After reviewing this portion of the report the reader should be able to get a clear picture of the essential contents of the study. (Jack, December 2008 ) Findings The next section in the report should detail the case facts, a description of the data itself and identify the problems found in the case. Each analysis of a problem should be supported by the facts given together with the relevant theory and core concepts. Here, it is important for the researcher to note the underlying problems for example: cross-departmental conflict may be only a symptom of the underlying problem of inadequate policies and practices within the organization. According to Leedy, this section is often divided into sub-sections, one for each problem. The overall function of this section is to clarify for the reader what the problem actually is. It is important to remember that case studies generally only focus on situational problems in which a course of action should be taken, but for which there is no one correct answer. Patterns and Solutions After the statement of the problem the researcher needs to suggest how the solutions are or should be dealt with. This usually happens in three separate sections. In the first section possible solutions are suggested. This section is usually brief and states only a few possible solutions. After having given your 3 possible solutions, you need to evaluate them. Usually the evaluation is done by listing the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. The researcher should note that it is important to remember that these are possible solutions, and need not all be good solutions. In the second section the solutions are evaluated by listing the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. Lastly in the third section the best solution is selected and followed by a justification of this choice. Justification here means simply saying why you choose this solution, or giving reasons why this was the best choice. (Jack, December 2008 ) Conclusions In the final section of the report it is critical to connect your conclusions and recommendations to the big picture. The main purpose of the conclusions and recommendations section is for the researcher to present their thoughts about the process and any issues surrounding the topic that came up in doing the case study. It is important that the researcher be careful not to confuse this section with an essay conclusion. In an essay conclusion no new information is generally given and the main points are simply restated. (Jack, December 2008 ) In the conclusions or recommendations section of a report however, the specific findings of the report are usually related back to the general issue that was introduced in the introduction. Conclusions can mean either clear answers about the issue, or it can mean simply a statement of observation on the problem (i. e. a characteristic about the problem that you have noticed in doing this case study). Recommendations means suggestions for solutions related to the wider issue. These solutions should be based on the situation studied, but must be related more to the problem in general. This section may include conclusions, recommendations, or a mix of both. The researcher must spend time on-site interacting with the people studied. The report would include lessons learned or patterns found that connect with theories. It is important that the researcher link the co nclusions back to research questions and not be distracted by overwhelming information.