The Rationale of the Case Study Research Method - Coursework Example

1. Case Study Definition and ExplanationCase study can be defined as a field research method that involves close and in-depth examination of a subject and a real-life context in which it occurs. A peculiar feature of case studies is that investigations are conducted without any interventions of investigators and the boundaries between the context and phenomenon are not clearly seen. As a whole, the aim of the case study method is to develop theoretical knowledge about certain regularities and patterns in the phenomena that are researched by means of studying one person or event and making generalizations.

It is widely applied as a valuable method in the study of psychology and health sciences in order to develop a theory, design and evaluate interventions. (Baxter & Jack , 2008) 2. Rationale of using the Case Study methodA case study approach is used when it is needed to explore a phenomenon within its context and through the variety of lenses. The following enables researches to reveal and comprehend different facets of an event or a situation and develop full understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.

Moreover, due to the fact that researchers have little or no influences on the course of case studies, they allow for the flexibility and do not demand rigorous planning. As a result, case studies can produce unexpected findings and encourage researches to reorient their studies and direct them to the right conclusions while saving from making incorrect assumptions. (Baxter & Jack , 2008) In addition, it is reasonable to resort to the case study method when a research is aimed at answering such questions as “how” and “why” something is happening and when the issue to be investigated is current. 3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Case StudyAmong the main advantages of the case study approach can be named the possibility to collect significant amounts of details and in-depth data that could be left without attention when applying other methods.

Also, case studies are extremely useful when large samples of participants are not available or there is a lack of previous research on the given topic. (Case study research:, 2009) In this context, case studies appear to be useful when making an insight into unique and unusual situations that cannot be otherwise studied due to ethical or some practical considerations. Subsequently, a case study can help to generate new hypotheses and innovations as well as challenge theoretical assumptions and study rare phenomenon.

Criticism of case studies includes the fact that the collected data is not easily generalized to the general population as far as the studied case can be not typical or representative. Apart from that, typically, case studies are observed and analyzed by a single person, which can lead to bias in data collection and interpretation and influence the overall results more than it would be with other methods. In general, case studies can appear to be not scientific and explain little about cause and effect relations in a phenomenon. 4. Case Studies data sourcesA researcher can use multiple sources of data while conducting a case study.

Tellis (1997) reminds of the six primary sources identified by Robert Yin. Among them are documents, including letters, study reports and other items and archival records, such as survey and census records, maps, name lists, and even personal diaries. Furthermore, widely used is direct observation of a subject in its natural setting when the researcher makes a site visit. (Tellis, 1997) In this process, physical artifacts can also be gathered as a means of making an insight into some cultural features or technical operations.

Apart from that, the investigator can also resort to participant observation when he/she serves as a participant of events, viewing them from the insight. Additionally, extremely important methods of gathering information are different kinds of interviews: focused, structured, open-ended. ReferencesBaxter, P., & Jack , S. (2008). Qualitative case study meth odology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers . The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544-559. Retrieved from http://www.nova.

edu/ssss/QR/QR13-4/baxter.pdfCase study research: Design and methods. (pp. 3-8). Sage Publications. (2009). Retrieved from https://books.google.com.ua/books?id=FzawIAdilHkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=case study as a research method&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QefhVKXkEYexygPX3oDgBQ&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQTellis, W. (1997). Application of a case study methodology . The Qualitative Report, 3(3), Retrieved from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR3-3/tellis2.htmlThe case study as a research method. (1997). Retrieved from https://www.ischool.utexas.

edu/~ssoy/usesusers/l391d1b.htm