Case Study

Resources for Qualitative Case Study Methodologies

Snyder, C. (2012). A Case Study of a Case Study: Analysis of a Robust Qualitative Research Methodology. The Qualitative Report, 17(13), 1-21. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol17/iss13/2

Abstract

A unique multi-part qualitative study methodology is presented from a study which tracked the transformative journeys of four career-changing women from STEM fields into secondary education. The article analyzes the study’s use of archived writing, journaling, participant-generated photography, interviews, member-checking, and reflexive analytical memos. An exploration into the interconnectedness of the methodologies used reveals a robust framework from which the first stages of grounded theory emerged. A detailed explanation of the methodological aspects of conducting the study is discussed with the purpose of making this combination of qualitative methods replicable.

Link: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol17/iss13/2/

Lauckner, H., Paterson, M., & Krupa, T. (2012). Using Constructivist Case Study Methodology to Understand Community Development Processes: Proposed Methodological Questions to Guide the Research Process. The Qualitative Report, 17(13), 1-22. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol17/iss13/1

Abstract

Often, research projects are presented as final products with the methodologies cleanly outlined and little attention paid to the decision-making processes that led to the chosen approach. Limited attention paid to these decision-making processes perpetuates a sense of mystery about qualitative approaches, particularly for new researchers who will likely encounter dilemmas and uncertainties in their research. This paper presents a series of questions that assisted one Ph.D. student in making key methodological choices during her research journey. In this study, a collective case study design informed by constructivist grounded theory data analysis methods was used to develop a framework of community development from an occupational therapy perspective. Ten methodological questions are proposed regarding research question development, research paradigm, design and analysis, and trustworthiness. Drawing on examples from this research project, these questions are used to explicate the decisions made “behind the scenes”, with the intention of providing both theoretical and practical guidance to others embarking on similar research journeys.

Link: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol17/iss13/1/

McGloin, Sarah. "The trustworthiness of case study methodology." Nurse Researcher 16.1 (2008): 45+. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.

With the validity of qualitative research currently under scrutiny, this paper by Sarah McGloin considers the contribution of the case study to the evidence base in health care. The author argues that case study methodology offers a creative and credible approach to help underpin contemporary practice.

Introduction

Case study research is gaining increasing credibility as a suitable research methodology for healthcare research studies (Thompson 2004). There is much debate about the validity, trustworthiness and rigour of qualitative research (Rolfe 2006, Porter 2007), the paradigm associated most with the case study approach. Consequently, the issue of the trustworthiness of case study research is under scrutiny (Hamel et al 1993, Zucker 2001, Pegram 2000, Bryar 2000). The aim of this paper is to analyse the trustworthiness of the case study approach for qualitative research studies. The case study methodology will be defined and analysed, and strategies to enhance studies' trustworthiness will be explored.

Link: http://journals.rcni.com/doi/abs/10.7748/nr2008.10.16.1.45.c6752

Jason Seawright and John Gerring (2008). Case Selection Techniques in Case Study Research: A Menu of Qualitative and Quantitative Options. Political Research Quarterly, 61(2), pp. 294-308

Abstract

How can scholars select cases from a large universe for in-depth case study analysis? Random sampling is not typically a viable approach when the total number of cases to be selected is small. Hence attention to purposive modes of sampling is needed. Yet, while the existing qualitative literature on case selection offers a wide range of suggestions for case selection, most techniques discussed require in-depth familiarity of each case. Seven case selection procedures are considered, each of which facilitates a different strategy for within-case analysis. The case selection procedures considered focus on typical, diverse, extreme, deviant, influential, most similar, and most different cases. For each case selection procedure, quantitative approaches are discussed that meet the goals of the approach, while still requiring information that can reasonably be gathered for a large number of cases.

Link: http://prq.sagepub.com/content/61/2/294.short?rss=1&ssource=mfc

Atchan, M., Davis, D., Foureur, M. (2016). A methodological review of qualitative case study methodology in midwifery research. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(10), 2259-2271.

Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jan.12946/abstract

Aim

To explore the use and application of case study research in midwifery.

Background

Case study research provides rich data for the analysis of complex issues and interventions in the healthcare disciplines; however, a gap in the midwifery research literature was identified.

Design

A methodological review of midwifery case study research using recognized templates, frameworks and reporting guidelines facilitated comprehensive analysis.

Data Sources

An electronic database search using the date range January 2005–December 2014: Maternal and Infant Care, CINAHL Plus, Academic Search Complete, Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS, Medline, Health Collection (Informit), Cochrane Library Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Wiley online and ProQuest Central.

Review Methods

Narrative evaluation was undertaken. Clearly worded questions reflected the problem and purpose. The application, strengths and limitations of case study methods were identified through a quality appraisal process.

Results

The review identified both case study research's applicability to midwifery and its low uptake, especially in clinical studies. Many papers included the necessary criteria to achieve rigour. The included measures of authenticity and methodology were varied. A high standard of authenticity was observed, suggesting authors considered these elements to be routine inclusions. Technical aspects were lacking in many papers, namely a lack of reflexivity and incomplete transparency of processes.

Conclusion

This review raises the profile of case study research in midwifery. Midwives will be encouraged to explore if case study research is suitable for their investigation. The raised profile will demonstrate further applicability; encourage support and wider adoption in the midwifery setting.

Flyvbjerg, B. (2006). Five misunderstandings about case-study research. Qualitative Inquiry, 12(2), 219-245.

Link: http://qix.sagepub.com/content/12/2/219.short?rss=1&ssource=mfr#cited-by

Abstract

This article examines five common misunderstandings about case-study research: (a) theoretical knowledge is more valuable than practical knowledge; (b) one cannot generalize from a single case, therefore, the single-case study cannot contribute to scientific development; (c) the case study is most useful for generating hypotheses, whereas other methods are more suitable for hypotheses testing and theory building; (d) the case study contains a bias toward verification; and (e) it is often difficult to summarize specific case studies. This article explains and corrects these misunderstandings one by one and concludes with the Kuhnian insight that a scientific discipline without a large number of thoroughly executed case studies is a discipline without systematic production of exemplars, and a discipline without exemplars is an ineffective one. Social science may be strengthened by the execution of a greater number of good case studies.

Books and book chapters

Flyvbjerg, B. (2011). Case study. In N. K. Denzin, & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (4th ed.) (pp. 301-316). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Merriam, S. B. (1988). Case study research in education: A qualitative approach. San

Francisco, CA: Jossey–Bass.

Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Simons, H. (2009). Case study research in practice. London: SAGE Publications. doi:10.4135/9781446268322

Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Stake, R. E. (2000). Case studies. In N. K. Denzin & Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (2nd ed.) (pp. 435-454). Thousand Oaks: SAGE

Stake, R. E. (2005). Qualitative case studies. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.) (pp. 443-466). Thousand Oaks: SAGE.

Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.