- Theory oriented ( )
- Exploration - Theory building - Theory testing - Theory extension/refinement - Hypothesis testing - Hypothesis building - Description ( ; ; ; ) | - Exploratory - Explanatory - Descriptive - Intrinsic case study - Instrumental case study - Collective case study - Single case study - Multiple case study - Interpretive case study - Evaluative case study ( ; ; ; ) | - Observation - Interview - Document review - Archival records - Participant observation and physical artifacts - Use multiple sources of data - Create a case study database - Maintain a chain of evidence ( ; ; ) | - Data reduction - Data display - Conclusion drawing and verification - Pattern matching - Program logic method - Explanation building - Time series analysis - Cross-case synthesis - Categorical aggregation - Direct interpretation - Ethnographic analysis - Narrative analysis - Phenomenological analysis - Constant comparative analysis - Content analysis - Analytic induction - Cross-case analysis - Within-case analysis - Visual inspection ( ; ; ; ) | The Purpose of a Case Study Research
Types of Case Study Research
When to use case study research, validity and reliability issues.
Selecting Cases
Gathering data, data analysis.
Articles | Purpose of Case Study Research | Reasons to Use Case Study Research | Types of Case Study Research | Methods of Gathering Data | Data Analysis |
---|
Sustainability and scalability of university spinouts: a business model perspective (Bigdeli et al., 2015) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | - Semistructured interview - Archival data - Observation - Meetings | - Data reduction (open coding) - Pattern matching |
One year ahead! Investigating the time lag between patent publication and market launch: insights from a longitudinal study in the automotive industry ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Longitudinal case study | Archival data | Pattern matching |
Managing dual business models in emerging markets: an ambidexterity perspective ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | - Semistructured interview - Archival data | - Cross-case analysis - Visualization techniques - Pattern matching |
Evolving schemes of interpretation: investigating the dual role of architectures in new product development ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Longitudinal case study | - Semistructured interview - Archival data | - Narrative analysis - Pattern matching |
Toward an attention-based view of technology decisions ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | - Semistructured interview - Archival data | - Cross-case analysis |
Articles | Purpose of Case Study Research | Reasons to Use Case Study Research | Types of Case Study Research | Methods of Gathering Data | Data Analysis |
---|
Boundaries of R&D collaboration ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | - Structured interview - Archival data - Meetings | - Within-case analysis - Cross-case analysis |
Identifying new dimensions of business incubation: a multilevel analysis of Karolinska institute’s incubation system ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Longitudinal case study | - Semistructured interview - Archival data - Informal meetings | - Compare the narratives of informants - Pattern matching |
Understanding a new generation incubation model: the accelerator ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | -Semi-structured interview - Archival data | - Writing individual case histories by using archival data - Using repertory grid method - Cross-case analysis |
Situated regional university incubation: a multilevel stakeholder ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory building | Comparative case study | -In-depth interview - Archival data | - Cross-case analysis - Data reduction (open coding) |
Innovation in start-ups: ideas filling the void of resources and capabilities ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | Interview (open-ended questions) | - Pattern matching - Cross-case analysis |
Articles | Purpose of Case Study Research | Reasons to Use Case Study Research | Types of Case Study Research | Methods of Gathering Data | Data Analysis |
---|
Impact of stronger patent regimes on technology transfer: the case study of the Thai automotive industry ( ) | Practice oriented | Hypothesis testing | Comparative case study (to answer research questions numbers 2 and 3) | - Interview - Archival data | - Visual inspection |
Commercializing user innovations by vertical diversification: the user-manufacturer innovator ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | - Semistructured interview and formal interviews - Archival data | - Data reduction (open coding) - Cross-case analysis - Asking independent researchers to recode the text passages |
Where and how to search? Search paths in open innovation ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | -Semi-structured interview - Archival data - Observation | - Data reduction(open coding) and axial coding |
Situated novelty: introducing a process perspective on the study of innovation ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Comparative case study | - Semistructured interview - Archival data - Observation | Data reduction (open coding) |
Understanding the emergence of new science and technology policies: policy entrepreneurial ship, agenda setting, and the development of European framework program ( ) | Theory oriented | Theory extension/refinement | Single case study | -Interview - Archival data | Pattern matching |
Download to reference manager
If you have citation software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice
Share this article
Share with email, share on social media, share access to this article.
Sharing links are not relevant where the article is open access and not available if you do not have a subscription.
For more information view the Sage Journals article sharing page.
Information
Published in.
- case study research
- methodological and analytical perspective
- management of technology and innovation
Rights and permissions
Affiliations, journals metrics.
This article was published in International Journal of Qualitative Methods .
Article usage *
Total views and downloads: 92058
* Article usage tracking started in December 2016
Articles citing this one
Receive email alerts when this article is cited
Web of Science: 92 view articles Opens in new tab
Crossref: 101
- Transgender and gender diverse curriculum in medical imaging programs:... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Low-carbon warehousing practices and challenges: insights from emergin... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Consideration of Climate Change on Environmental Impact Assessment in ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Digitisation of franchising supply chain impact on franchisor performa... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Green business process management in a Polish municipal waste treatmen... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Human adaptation to heat in the context of climate change: A conceptua... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Disciplinary-Based Knowledge Management Systems' Potentialities of Col... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Managing organizational discontinuity in a corporate museum: case stud... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- BIM-enabled built-asset information management conceptual framework: A... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- New institutional theory perspective: water safety plan implementation... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Exploring the Implications of the Articulation Gap on Grade 6 EFAL Lea... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- ‘We are the women who clean and the structural base of the hotel’: Las... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- A small-scale evaluation of instructional approaches and perspectives ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Early virtual science museums: when the technology is not mature Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- The Application of Expressive Writing as an Intervention for Test Anxi... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Investigating the Co-Management of Natural Resources: Lessons Learned ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Migrant dentists, health system responses and future challenges: a cas... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Patient safety near misses – Still missing opportunities to learn Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Examining sustainable supply chain management via a social‐symbolic wo... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Information Architecture Strategies in the Classroom: How Do Increasin... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Reflecting on community development research: how peer researchers inf... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- From the bathroom to a national discussion of LGBTQ+ rights: a case of... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Agile supply chain analytic approach: a case study combining agile and... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Pre-service teachers’ belief changes in an English for specific purpos... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Dealing with Uncertainties During COVID-19 Pandemic: Learning from the... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Internal Logistics Restructuring to a Production Growth: A Case Study Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Gender Gap in Tourism SME Innovation Practices Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Female Entrepreneurship in a Developing Context: Motivations, Challeng... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- The imperative of happiness in positive psychology: Towards a psychopo... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Implementation of an Industry 4.0 Module in the International Educatio... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Open innovation in sustainable corporate communication: a case study f... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Links Between Risk Source Identification and Resilience Capability Bui... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- “Follow your research career or choose your family”: Female language t... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Incorporation of Virtual Tour Guides Into Tourism Class as an Online E... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Influence of governance instruments on supply chain quality: a qualita... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Implementation of an intelligent supply chain control tower: a socio-t... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- From Participant to Facilitator: A Caregiver's Experience Leading in a... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Tutors visualized through metaphorical narratives: a role unquestioned... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Urban Revitalisation Between Artisanal Craft and Green Manufacturing: ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Enhancing Operations Management of Pumped Storage Power Stations by Pa... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Exploring the Interconnection of FinTech and Climate Sustainability Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Integrating low-carbon development issues into strategic environmental... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Guidelines for Using a Case Study Approach in Construction Culture Res... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Identifying blocking behaviors in small‐scale group decision‐making an... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Reasons for ignoring versus paying attention to country of origin amon... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Entrepreneurship during crisis: Innovation practices of micro and smal... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Application of Circular Economy Principles to Architectural Design: A ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- The role of innovation intermediaries in orchestrating innovation netw... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Internationalization in Higher Education Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Shining light: A case study analysis of a tutor training programme for... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Medication Decision Making in Low-Income Families of Black Children Wi... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar Pub Med
- Latent Dirichlet Allocation in Public Procurement Documents Analysis f... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Instructional Framework for Emergency Remote Teaching in Higher Educat... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- The BESST REU: Promoting soil science learning and shifts in attitudes... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- The possibilities and limits of trade secrets to protect data shared b... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- ‘Had I been a girl it would have been a big problem’: An intersectiona... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Gender in Climate Change: Safeguarding LGBTQ+ Mental Health in the Phi... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Lean manufacturing systems in the area of Industry 4.0: a lean automat... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Developing Ethical Sensitivity in Future Accounting Practitioners: The... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Development of a conceptual framework to evaluate factors that affect ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Experiential Learning for the MBA: Career Preparation for Nontradition... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Community Participation and Stakeholder Intervention in Sustainable Ec... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Instructional Methodologies for Lifelong Learning Applied to a Sage Pa... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Identification of Causal Chains for Sustainable Tourism Development Wi... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Catalyzing Holistic Conservation-Based Development Through Ethical Tra... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Homework assignments for the science and technology course in 5th grad... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Member-serving associations: the co-creation of professionalism and ex... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- A case study of a strategic initiative in pediatric rehabilitation tra... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Zoonoses in the margins: environmental displacement and health outcome... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Developing an implementation research logic model: using a multiple ca... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Enablers of Open Innovation in Software Development Micro-Organization Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Motivators Influencing the Efficiency and Commitment of Employees of A... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- “The Princeton Outbreak” Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- What is at stake in a war? A prospective evaluation of the Ukraine and... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Tourism Destination Recovery, a Case Study of Grand Bahama Island Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Analysis of Key Contributors to Process Safety Incidents in the Chemic... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Co-constructing engagement in pediatric rehabilitation: a multiple cas... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- On Developments in Ethnographic Research: The Case of Two Swedish Univ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Towards Developing a Framework for Conducting Management Studies Using... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- The Qualitative Case Study Research Strategy as Applied on a Rural Ent... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Language teacher agency in emergency online teaching Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- SME Resilience to Covid-19 Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Adoption of Large-Scale Scrum Practices through the Use of Management ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- A Framework for Selecting a Cloud-Based Project-Portfolio Management T... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORACY SKILLS IN AN EFL CONTEXT USING YOUTUBE VIDEOS... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Social Innovation from the Perspective of Quality of Life of Old Peopl... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- The Intangible Cultural Heritage as a Creative Tourism Product. The Ma... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Pros and cons of botulinum toxin injection therapy in cerebral palsy: ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- “HOW THEY TEACH”: CASE STUDY JAVANESE LANGUAGE TEACHING IN THE COVID-1... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Collaborative care: Primary health workforce and service delivery in W... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Modelling of Social Policy and Initiatives under COVID-19: Rural NEET ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Berlin’s Manifold Strategies Towards Commercial and Industrial Spaces:... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Leveraging collaboration: script development processes in low budget A... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- An exploratory study on the impact of physical and geospatial characte... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Collaborative Learning Experiences in a Changing Environment: Innovati... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Re-prioritizing Teachers’ Social Emotional Learning in Rural Schools B... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- A Review of Case Study Method in Operations Management Research Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Experiences before and after nasogastric and gastrostomy tube insertio... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- Exploring the Determinants of Industry 4.0 Development Using an Extend... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
- A Study of the Implications of the European Securitisation Regulation ... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar
Figures & Media
View options, view options, access options.
If you have access to journal content via a personal subscription, university, library, employer or society, select from the options below:
I am signed in as:
I can access personal subscriptions, purchases, paired institutional access and free tools such as favourite journals, email alerts and saved searches.
Login failed. Please check you entered the correct user name and password.
Access personal subscriptions, purchases, paired institutional or society access and free tools such as email alerts and saved searches.
loading institutional access options
Click the button below for the full-text content
Alternatively, view purchase options below:
Access journal content via a DeepDyve subscription or find out more about this option.
Also from Sage
- CQ Library Elevating debate opens in new tab
- Sage Data Uncovering insight opens in new tab
- Sage Business Cases Shaping futures opens in new tab
- Sage Campus Unleashing potential opens in new tab
- Sage Knowledge Multimedia learning resources opens in new tab
- Sage Research Methods Supercharging research opens in new tab
- Sage Video Streaming knowledge opens in new tab
- Technology from Sage Library digital services opens in new tab
Home » Pros and Cons » 12 Case Study Method Advantages and Disadvantages
12 Case Study Method Advantages and Disadvantages
A case study is an investigation into an individual circumstance. The investigation may be of a single person, business, event, or group. The investigation involves collecting in-depth data about the individual entity through the use of several collection methods. Interviews and observation are two of the most common forms of data collection used.
The case study method was originally developed in the field of clinical medicine. It has expanded since to other industries to examine key results, either positive or negative, that were received through a specific set of decisions. This allows for the topic to be researched with great detail, allowing others to glean knowledge from the information presented.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using the case study method.
List of the Advantages of the Case Study Method
1. it turns client observations into useable data..
Case studies offer verifiable data from direct observations of the individual entity involved. These observations provide information about input processes. It can show the path taken which led to specific results being generated. Those observations make it possible for others, in similar circumstances, to potentially replicate the results discovered by the case study method.
2. It turns opinion into fact.
Case studies provide facts to study because you’re looking at data which was generated in real-time. It is a way for researchers to turn their opinions into information that can be verified as fact because there is a proven path of positive or negative development. Singling out a specific incident also provides in-depth details about the path of development, which gives it extra credibility to the outside observer.
3. It is relevant to all parties involved.
Case studies that are chosen well will be relevant to everyone who is participating in the process. Because there is such a high level of relevance involved, researchers are able to stay actively engaged in the data collection process. Participants are able to further their knowledge growth because there is interest in the outcome of the case study. Most importantly, the case study method essentially forces people to make a decision about the question being studied, then defend their position through the use of facts.
4. It uses a number of different research methodologies.
The case study method involves more than just interviews and direct observation. Case histories from a records database can be used with this method. Questionnaires can be distributed to participants in the entity being studies. Individuals who have kept diaries and journals about the entity being studied can be included. Even certain experimental tasks, such as a memory test, can be part of this research process.
5. It can be done remotely.
Researchers do not need to be present at a specific location or facility to utilize the case study method. Research can be obtained over the phone, through email, and other forms of remote communication. Even interviews can be conducted over the phone. That means this method is good for formative research that is exploratory in nature, even if it must be completed from a remote location.
6. It is inexpensive.
Compared to other methods of research, the case study method is rather inexpensive. The costs associated with this method involve accessing data, which can often be done for free. Even when there are in-person interviews or other on-site duties involved, the costs of reviewing the data are minimal.
7. It is very accessible to readers.
The case study method puts data into a usable format for those who read the data and note its outcome. Although there may be perspectives of the researcher included in the outcome, the goal of this method is to help the reader be able to identify specific concepts to which they also relate. That allows them to discover unusual features within the data, examine outliers that may be present, or draw conclusions from their own experiences.
List of the Disadvantages of the Case Study Method
1. it can have influence factors within the data..
Every person has their own unconscious bias. Although the case study method is designed to limit the influence of this bias by collecting fact-based data, it is the collector of the data who gets to define what is a “fact” and what is not. That means the real-time data being collected may be based on the results the researcher wants to see from the entity instead. By controlling how facts are collected, a research can control the results this method generates.
2. It takes longer to analyze the data.
The information collection process through the case study method takes much longer to collect than other research options. That is because there is an enormous amount of data which must be sifted through. It’s not just the researchers who can influence the outcome in this type of research method. Participants can also influence outcomes by given inaccurate or incomplete answers to questions they are asked. Researchers must verify the information presented to ensure its accuracy, and that takes time to complete.
3. It can be an inefficient process.
Case study methods require the participation of the individuals or entities involved for it to be a successful process. That means the skills of the researcher will help to determine the quality of information that is being received. Some participants may be quiet, unwilling to answer even basic questions about what is being studied. Others may be overly talkative, exploring tangents which have nothing to do with the case study at all. If researchers are unsure of how to manage this process, then incomplete data is often collected.
4. It requires a small sample size to be effective.
The case study method requires a small sample size for it to yield an effective amount of data to be analyzed. If there are different demographics involved with the entity, or there are different needs which must be examined, then the case study method becomes very inefficient.
5. It is a labor-intensive method of data collection.
The case study method requires researchers to have a high level of language skills to be successful with data collection. Researchers must be personally involved in every aspect of collecting the data as well. From reviewing files or entries personally to conducting personal interviews, the concepts and themes of this process are heavily reliant on the amount of work each researcher is willing to put into things.
These case study method advantages and disadvantages offer a look at the effectiveness of this research option. With the right skill set, it can be used as an effective tool to gather rich, detailed information about specific entities. Without the right skill set, the case study method becomes inefficient and inaccurate.
Related Posts:
- 25 Best Ways to Overcome the Fear of Failure
- Monroe's Motivated Sequence Explained [with Examples]
- 21 Most Effective Bundle Pricing Strategies with Examples
- Force Field Analysis Explained with Examples
COMMENTS
10 Case Study Advantages and Disadvantages (2024)
5 Benefits of the Case Study Method - HBS Online
Case Study Methodology of Qualitative Research
Capturing reality: One of their key benefits is their ability to capture what Hodkinson and Hodkinson call 'lived reality' (2001: 3). As they put it, case studies have the potential, when applied successfully, to 'retain more of the "noise" of real life than many other types of research' (Hodkinson and Hodkinson, 2001: 3).
Case study research is typically extensive; it draws on multiple methods of data collection and involves multiple data sources. The researcher begins by identifying a specific case or set of cases to be studied. Each case is an entity that is described within certain parameters, such as a specific time frame, place, event, and process.
A case study is a research method that involves an in-depth examination and analysis of a particular phenomenon or case, such as an individual, organization, community, event, or situation. It is a qualitative research approach that aims to provide a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the case being studied.
This study represents a general structure to guide, design, and fulfill a case study research with levels and steps necessary for researchers to use in their research. Lai, D., & Roccu, R. (2019). Case study research and critical IR: the case for the extended case methodology. ... The authors find benefits in terms of increased connections ...
What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods
The case study approach | BMC Medical Research Methodology
What is a Case Study? | Examples, Definition & Process
Researchers, economists, and others frequently use case studies to answer questions across a wide spectrum of disciplines, from analyzing decades of climate data for conservation efforts to developing new theoretical frameworks in psychology. Learn about the different types of case studies, their benefits, and examples of successful case studies.
Case Study Method: A Step-by-Step Guide for Business ...
CASE STUDY RESEARCH. urt SchochInthis chapter, I provide an introduction to case. study design. The chapter begins with a definition of case study research and a description of its origins and philosophical. nderpinnings. I share dis-cipline-specific applications of case study methods and describe the appropriate research questions addressed by.
Advantages of case study . There are a number of advantages in using case studies. First, the examination of the data is . ... The study adopts a case study research design, focusing on Standard ...
(PDF) Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design ...
Continuing to enhance the quality of case study ...
Planning Qualitative Research: Design and Decision Making ...
Case Study Design | Advantages and Disadvantages
The case study approach - PMC
Case Study Research Method in Psychology
(PDF) The case study as a type of qualitative research
Toward Developing a Framework for Conducting Case Study ...
Even interviews can be conducted over the phone. That means this method is good for formative research that is exploratory in nature, even if it must be completed from a remote location. 6. It is inexpensive. Compared to other methods of research, the case study method is rather inexpensive.