Benefits and Challenges
There are a great deal of benefits and challenges to be aware of when choosing case study as your methodology.
We have discussed some of the most prominently encountered benefits and challenges, to help prepare you for your research journey.
Validity
‘A work that focuses its attention on a single example of a broader phenomenon is apt to be described as a “mere” case study, and is often identified with loosely framed and nongeneralizable theories, biased case selection, informal and undisciplined research designs, weak empirical leverage ... , subjective conclusions, nonreplicability, and causal determinism.’
(Gerring, 2007, p. 6)
Validity
Accessibility
'I believe that it is reasonable to conclude that one of the more effective means of adding to understanding for all readers will be by approximating, through the words and illustrations of our reports, the natural experiences acquired in ordinary personal involvement.'
(Stake, 2009, p. 2)
Robert E Stake (2015)
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Intrinsic – a case is studied out of a desire to learn more about a phenomenon
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Instrumental – a case is conducted to build on and explore an existing study or area of interest
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Collective - a study is conducted from more than one case. For example, several cases may be observed at different schools, and they are then studied collectively
Robert K Yin (2014)
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Exploratory – initial research, seeking to find what is there
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Descriptive – has an objective and sets out to provide a thorough account of a particular phenomena
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Explanatory – attempts to identify factors that contribute to the phenomena
Sharan Merriam
(1998)
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Descriptive – one that presents a detailed account of the phenomenon under study (e.g. a historical case)
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Evaluative – involves description, explanation, and judgement
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Interpretive – descriptive but then used to develop conceptual categories, or to illustrate, support, or challenge theoretical assumptions held prior to data collection
Flexibility:
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Case studies allow for a great range of flexibility in regard to the purpose, scope of the research and methods employed.
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Ridder (2020) notes that case studies are commonly categorised as a purely explanatory tool, however in reality it has a far greater range of applications and these are defined differently by experts in the field:
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Case studies can be designed different ways, depending on their purpose
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Single case holistic designs
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Single case embedded designs
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Multiple case holistic designs
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Multiple case embedded designs
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(Yin, 2009, p. 39-53)
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Case studies can utilize many forms of data collection, including both quantitative and qualitative methods.. Yin lists six possible sources as:
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Documents
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Archival records
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Interviews
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Direct Observations
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Participant observation
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Physical Artefacts
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(Yin, 2003, p. 98)
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Context:
Unlike many other forms of research that present a narrow scope of data, case studies can provide a great deal of context for the issue/s being represented (Miles, 2015). Case studies allow researchers to collect authentic data from the source of the subject, in its natural environment (Willis, 2007, p. 239). Longhofer, Floersch and Hartmann (2017) argue that this authenticity captures what it really means to be human whilst experiencing the studied phenomenon. It illustrates our fallibility, our capacity to let emotion rather than logic dictate our choices and the nuances that influence every outcome.
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Accessibility:
Stories of experiences are relatable and engaging to an audience, being able to connect to the context can allow for greater depth of understanding (Miles, 2015). “Case studies often contain a substantial element of narrative. Good narratives typically approach the complexities and contradictions of real life” (Flyvbjerg, 2006, p. 237). This context provides a depth and breadth of data that contributes to an observer's ability to understand and make connections to the experiences being examined. Stake (2009) explains that case studies provide vicarious opportunities that allow the audience to benefit as they might had they lived the experience. As such, case studies lend themselves well to the domains of social, education and medical research, where they are well utilised to simulate contextualised phenomena to inspire reflection, discourse and professional development.
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Unique Strengths:
Environment
The intimate and holistic exploration of specific phenomena in their natural milieu is a significant advantage of case study research (Idowu, 2016), which can facilitate authentic and accurate scenarios (Idowu, 2016).
Educational Tool
The context provided through case studies positions them as a powerful educational tool. The case study method of teaching is a popular and proven pedagogical approach of using cases to observe detailed phenomena and pose problems. Harvard Business School documents use of this strategy over a hundred years ago (Herreid, 2011, p. 31) and it is still very much in use to this day.
Data Range
Whilst critics claim that single case studies lack depth due to their narrow focus, Flyvbjerg (2006, p. 235) contends that the tendency to gather a range of data for triangulation usually results in complex projects. Yin (2014, p. 18) asserts that collecting information from multiple sources is a defining feature of case studies.
Validity:
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Case study research has been criticised as lacking academic rigour (Gerring, 2007). Inherently, there are limitations in case study research, particularly related to validity and reliability. Whilst it may not be possible to eliminate such limitations in full, we can certainly minimise the impact of such limitations by adopting certain strategies and tactics. Yin (2009) encourages meticulous design to ensure the integrity of the research. He proposes that the following design tests will help to ensure that case studies meet the standards of scientific research, providing ‘trustworthiness, credibility, confirmability and data dependability’ (Yin, 2014, p. 51)
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'Validity and reliability have been widely used as criteria for determining the quality of qualitative research (Yin, 2003). Validity is concerned with the question of whether the researcher is studying the phenomenon they purport to be studying and reliability is concerned with the question of whether the researcher is obtaining data on which she or he can rely.'
(McKinnon, 1988, p. 36)
Construct validity:
This test safeguards credibility by demonstrating that the researcher has defined specific parameters of the operational measures. Being explicit about the concepts to be examined and the data that will be used to measure them, will substantiate impartiality (Yin, 2014, p. 52).
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Flyvbjerg’s Strategies for the Selection of Samples and Cases (2006) provides some useful considerations to help achieve validity and reliability.
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However, it is worth noting that not all experts agree with this approach. Stake (1995) holds that rigid design stifles research that ought to be responsive to unforeseeable elements. Merriam (2015) argues that flexibility improves a qualitative study, for example, data analysis is optimised if done concurrently with the data collection. This allows the research to be reflexive and adapt future data collection to try to ensure that all relevant and useful data will be gathered.
Generalisability:
Another common challenge to the credibility of a case study is the assumption that data collected from a single case cannot be broadly applied and generalised (Miles, 2015 p. 309). Stake (1995) admits that case studies are not optimal for generalisations, when compared to certain other forms of research. However, he also notes that case studies have the capacity to uncover nuance, to identify detailed patterns that can serve to enhance understandings and contribute to generalisations (Stake, 1995, pp. 7-8). Ultimately, the discussion on generalisations in case study research is as deep and broad as the complex variety of case studies out there. So much depends on the individual study, the researcher, chosen methods, objectives. Creswell (2014) argues that the vivid illustration formed by a case study allows for the audience to make their own connections and generalisations, while Gerring (2007) posits that every case study has an element of both particularising and generalising to varying degrees. For more information on generalisability, please see Helen Simons (2009) article, 'Interpret in context: Generalizing from the single case in evaluation'
So the particularizing/generalizing distinction is rightly understood as a continuum, not a dichotomy. Case studies typically partake of both worlds. They are studies both of something particular and of something more general. (Gerring, 2007, p. 76)
Objectivity:
In a research methodology that requires human interpretation of a complex set of data, a certain amount of inferential bias is inescapable (Maoz 2014). Concern has been expressed, that that the quantity of data requiring interpretation in case studies, creates greater opportunities for bias toward verification of the researcher’s preconceived notions (Flyvbjerg, 2006, p. 234).
Maoz (2014) asserts that all aspects of a case study must be transparent to secure the credibility of the research. From initial choices, design and data analysis process, the audience must be able to read the research with an awareness of the authors’ position, in order to maintain a critical lens and to allow for replication. One could argue that these conditions ought to be met in all research
methodologies, as subjectivism is an issue that concerns all research designs, qualitative and otherwise (Flyvbjerg, 2006, p. 235).
Yin’s (2014) reliability test offers a solution that would work to counter this quandary and sate Moaz’s expectations.
Through use of a case study database or detailed record, the researcher's choices and inferences can be clearly
documented, thus allowing the audience to make an informed analysis.
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Reputation & Consistency:
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Those who take the time to understand the nature and complexity of case studies are aware that this methodology has the rigour to stand beside other respected forms of research. Nevertheless, various misconceptions about its academic adequacy persists with some scholars (Gerring, 2004).
Yin (2018) notes that the aforementioned fallacious beliefs can cause case study research to be viewed as less favourable for funding grants. Researchers can prepare for this by being ready to defend their choice, but it is a potential challenge that is worth noting when selecting this methodology.
The varied approaches and lack of consensus on case study protocols are likely to contribute to some misunderstandings and scepticism in the broader academic community (Yazan, 2015).
Robert Yin (2003, p. 102) provides strengths and weaknesses of data collection methods.