Case Study Writing Analysis - Essay Example

Introduction to Case Study Research It is of critical importance to acknowledge the fact that case studies are always so important in our daily lives. The case studies are very important in bringing out the educational aspects in many perspectives. These educational aspects may follow several researches that were done of some specific topics with relevance to some key issues (Green, 48). In this regard, the case studies are relevant in providing in depth information regarding such issues that were covered in such studies. A research may focus on several entities within the field of study. Some of these entities may be purely scientific. In this regard, the research may involve exploring the reasons for existence of such issues in certain places. In addition, the research may involve description of certain environmental aspects, business aspects as well as economic aspects of the environments where such a research is conducted (Green, 57). The results to those researches are well documented in the case studies. In this regard, the case studies will therefore act as the best secondary sources to use when one intends to carry out a research concerning specific aspects. This will be made easier if such a research topic had already been covered in one of the case studies that had been conducted with reference to such topic in question, or anything in close relationship to the topic that is to be researched on. In relation to the above case, the case study researches would be critical in the sense that they will act as references (Saunders, 27). In this manner, they will give additional information relevant to the research in question. In this perspective, it is of crucial significance to understand the meaning of a case study as well as a case study research. It is of critical significance to note that the term case study may have very many meanings. However, the difference in those meanings is not quite large. Every meaning tied to the term case study always has several similarities with each other. However, there are slight differences in such meanings with regards to what is being referred to (Thomas, 41). These meanings may vary with regards to the topic being researched on. Again, the difference in meanings of the term “case study” may be evident in reference to the specific environment where the case study research is conducted. On the same note, it is of critical significance to note that the difference in meanings of the term case studies may depend upon the different views of different individual personalities. This may be in relation to the contemporary phenomenon under study. In this regard, it is imperative to note that the term case studies refers to a detailed study involving proper description of the single social units or phenomenon under study (Jost et al, 37). These may include detailed descriptions of particular organizations with regards to the social units under investigations. The detailed study on such units may involve the in depth analysis of the interrelations existent between and amongst such social organizations. In addition, the detailed study may focus on the aspects involving the feeding types as well as the social aggregation amongst those social units. This is critical in understanding the ecology, threats as well as plan for those social units. This is heavily reliant on the findings that are clearly detailed and recommended following the reports of such case study researches. On the other hand, it is critical to understand that the term case study may involve detailed analysis of research methods. The best definition of a case study was put forward by the research scientist known as Yin. In his definition of the term case study, Yin states, “a case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real life context, especially when the boundaries between the phenomenon and the context are not clearly evident” (Yin, 13). It is of critical importance to note that the type of approach that Yin offers to the case study is purely positivist. This approach is considered purely positivist because Yin recommends the utilization of hypotheses as well as propositions in the study. However, whatever the meaning accorded to the term case study research, there are several significances tied to the case studies. For instance, in business environments, there has been an increase in the usage of case studies. This is in line with the fact that such case studies employ the usage of empirical evidences from real people, customers as well as all the business stakeholders in real organizations (Jost et al, 63). The use of such empirical evidences contribute towards making informed decisions, as well as add on the knowledge on the key things that such businesses may need to meet in order to satisfy the tastes of the consumers (Ellett, 34). It is of critical importance to acknowledge the fact that there are several questions in which the use of case studies is well suited. Case studies may be exploratory, interpretative as well as descriptive. In this regard, it is of crucial significance to note that a good case study must adopt the structure in which all the aspects of exploration, description as well as interpretations are well covered. This will lead to a very strong, comprehensive as well as informative case study results. In this regard, it is of critical importance to understand some of the key questions that a good case study should answer. One of the questions that a case study research should answer is the “what” questions (Farquhar, 53). The “what” questions are always tied with several elements of in depth analyses as well as explorations. A good case study research should entail what the conditions of the things under investigations are. These may involve questions that tend to investigate much concerning the origins of certain problems, threats as well as challenges facing certain elements forming the core of the study research. This is critical in coming up with the best solutions as well as the strategies for mitigation of such threats, challenges as well as problems. This is in regards to the information documented following the results of such case studies. It is quite imperative to note that the case studies may also be suited to answer the “how” questions. This is exactly where the descriptive nature of the case studies features. The case study researches should always shed more light on the “how” questions more precisely and properly. This should involve answering the questions relating to how a certain aspect under investigation affects the entities it surrounds. The case study researches should go in depth to analyze specific aspects of the study topics related to several effects that certain issues have (Gomm and Foster, 51). These may entail proper description of such entities, proper description of how such entities affect the environment within which the study research is situated as well as inform more on how the recommendations to deal with the problem will be administered. This may also involve answering such questions involving of how such recommendations will be beneficial n long term. It may also involve describing in details some of the alternatives that may be employed to deal with certain issues affecting the cases in question. Case studies are always illustrative. In addition, it is crucial to understand that case studies are both explanatory as well as enlightening as is asserted by Yin (Yin, 32). It is of critical importance to note that case studies may also be suitable for answering questions that start with “who”. In this regard, if the case study was to be conducted in investigating the causes of environmental pollution in certain areas, the case study research will be beneficial in answering such questions involving the persons responsible for causing such problems (Woodside, 72). This is critical in giving a blue print in knowing the best strategies to employ in averting such incidences. In this manner, the case study will play the role of being informative, exploratory as well explanative. A good case study should answer these questions completely and succinctly well. Besides answering the “who” questions, it is of crucial significance to acknowledge the fact that case studies can also be suitable in answering the “why” questions (Grant, 53). These may involve shedding more light on the reasons that may be responsible for continued widespread of certain negative impacts with regards to the entities affected. For instance, in environmental pollution, descriptive, qualitative and qualitative researches may dwell on the effects of certain threats to the environment. In this regard, the case study will be answering such questions as to the reasons why certain threats are more prevalent in certain areas compared to other areas. This may involve qualitative analysis as detailed in the case study (Grant, 61). This will be quite informative in determining the best forms of strategies to employ. Again, it will also help dictate the form of the case study design to use in the research. It is of critical importance to acknowledge the fact that some case studies may fail to meet the expected standards with regards to the scientific expectations. This may result from several factors involving the nature of study design selected b the researcher, the methods as well as strategies employed (Gagnon, 63). In relation to this, it is of critical importance to note that whenever one engages in a scientific research, the results from such case studies should be exemplary. In this manner, it is quite critical to understand that exemplary case studies should meet certain standards of expectations (Marschan et al, 58). A good case study should be very interesting. This makes the readers enjoy the contents detailed in the case study. In addition, an exemplary case study should display sufficient evidences concerning the study topic. Moreover, an exemplary case study should be complete and must consider several other alternatives (Hancock and Robert, 37). These alternatives should be well described in the document in order to give more information to the readers. In this manner, it is prudent to note that a good case study should be written in a more comprehensive, engaging as well as compelling manner that contributes o knowledge. These contribute towards coming up with an exemplary case study research. It is imperative to note that several case study strategies may be employed in business research. Some of these strategies may be of critical importance when the case study research is positivist. in addition, other case study strategies may be quite beneficial if the case study research is interpretative as well as critical (Gerring, 35). Some of the case study strategies or types that can be used in business research include holistic design strategies as well as embedded research designs. The holistic research strategies may be conducted in situations involving too abstract levels. Such a strategy may be beneficial in situations where logical subunits cannot be identified in such business environments. Embedded designs on the other hand may focus too much on the aspects of the subunits. It involves extensive analysis of the aspects of such subunits (Remenyi, 71). The other strategy is the single case design. This strategy involves a clear set of propositions and acts as a pilot case for a variety of case studies that may be conducted on the relevant aspects. In this perspective, single case design may be termed a revelatory case since it sheds more light to the previously inaccessible phenomena (Marschan et al, 42). It is critical to note that the validity of a case study is subject to the strength and rigorousness of that case study. In addition, the validity may be a subject of the usefulness of the case study. On the same note, it is critical to o note that the reliability of a case study is subject of trust and reliance on the results provided by the case study (Gerring, 51). This is critical in making such a case study reliable. A good case study should also be generalisable. This is subject of whether the results of such a case study are relevant, trustworthy as well as reliant beyond individual case. Based on these, there are some two case studies, one conducted in marketing research field entitled “Library Palooza: a marketing case study” by Carol Lee Anderson. This was conducted in the United States. The other was on the investigation of the extreme weather resilience of construction of Small and Medium-scale Enterprise (SMEs) in the United Kingdom (Jost et al, 67). Gayan Wedawatta in the UK conducted this case study. It is critical to note that these two case studies were so reliable. This is because both of them had very reliable results. The results were so trustworthy and were very informative. In addition, the research was so specific and quite informative. Moreover, both the two case studies were very valid. This is because the case studies were very thorough and had very strong points, propositions as well as recommendations. Both the two case studies are very useful since they provide credible information with regards to the field of business as well as the field of marketing and management. Furthermore, it is of crucial significance to note that both the two case studies are very generalisable. This makes them stand out as exemplary case studies. The results from these two case studies depict a sense of generalizability with regards to the propositions and the findings. This is closely linked to the extent at which the results from these two case studies are relevant. This makes these two case studies very informative, reliant as well as valid. Works Cited Ellett, W.C. The case study handbook: how to read, discuss, and write persuasively about cases. Harvard Business School Press, 2007. Farquhar, J.D. Case study research for business. London. Sage, 2012. Gomm, R. Hammersley, M. and Foster, P. Case study method: key issues, key texts. London. Sage, 2000. Thomas, G. How to do your case study: a guide for students and researchers. London. Sage, 2010. Yin, Robert, K. Case study research: design and methods. 4th edition. London. Sage, 2008. Saunders, M. Lewis.P. and Thornhill, A .Research methods for business students.Financial Times: Prentice Hall, 1987/2003. Gagnon, Yves-Chantal. The Case Study As Research Method: A Practical Handbook. Québec [Que.: Presses de lUniversité du Québec, 2010. Internet resource. Gerring, John. Case Study Research: Principles and Practices. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print. Grant, Kenneth. Case Studies in Knowledge Management. Academic Boookshops, 2011. Print. Green, Ravonne A. Case Study Research: A Program Evaluation Guide for Librarians. Santa Barbara, Calif: Libraries Unlimited, 2011. Print. Hancock, Dawson R, and Robert Algozzine. Doing Case Study Research: A Practical Guide for Beginning Researchers. New York: Teachers College Press, 2011. Print. Jost, Mukta, Rema Nilakanta, and Jerry Willis. Qualitative Research Methods for Education and Instructional Technology. Greenwich, Conn: Information Age, 2002. Print. Marschan-Piekkari, Rebecca, and Catherine Welch. Rethinking the Case Study in International Business and Management Research. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Pub, 2011. Internet resource. Remenyi, D. Case Study Research. Reading, UK: Academic Publishing International, 2012. Print. Woodside, Arch G. Case Study Research: Theory, Methods, Practice. Bingley: Emerald, 2010. Print. Yin, Robert K. Applications of Case Study Research. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE, 2012. Print. Read More