CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY by Preeti Hiwale

Case study method is another common qualitative research technique. A case study uses as many data sources as possible to systematically investigate individuals, groups, organizations or events. Yin (1994) defines a case study as an empirical inquiry that uses multiple sources of evidence to investigate a contemporary phenomenon within its real –life context, in boundaries between the phenomenon and its context are not clearly evident. The four essential characteristics of case study research are as follows:-

1. Particularistic- This means that the case study focuses on a particular situation, making it a good method for studying practical, real life problems.
2. Descriptive-The final product of a case study is a detailed description of the topic under study.
3. Heuristic- A case study helps people to understand what’s being studied.
4. Inductive- Most case studies depend on inductive reasoning. Principles and generalizations emerge from an examination of the data. Many case studies attempt to discover new relationships rather than verify existing hypotheses.

Advantages of case studies:-

1. Case studies provide tremendous detail.
2. Case studies help to find clues and ideas for further research.
3. To gather descriptive and explanatory data.
4. Case study technique suggests why something has occurred.
5. Documents, historical artifacts, systematic interviews, direct observations, and even traditional surveys can all be incorporated into case study.

Disadvantages:-

1. General lack of scientific rigor.
2. Case study is not amenable to generalization.
3. Often time consuming and may occasionally produce massive quantities of data that are hard to summarize.