1.3.

Case Study
Definition
• A case study;
• Research methodology that has commonly used in social sciences.
• Research strategy and an empirical inquiry that investigates a
phenomenon within its real-life context.
• Based on an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group or
event to explore the causes of underlying principles.
• descriptive and exploratory analysis of a person, group or event.
• Research can be single or multiple case studies, includes
quantitative evidence, relies on multiple sources of evidence and
benefits from the prior development of theoritical propositions.
• Analysis of persons, groups, events, decisions, periods, policies,
institutions or other systems that are studied holistically by one or
more methods.
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M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading M.Ed in Psychology)
• Case studies can be produced by following a
formal research method.
• These case studies are likely to appear in formal research venues,
as journals and professional conferences, rather than popular
works.
• The resulting body of 'case study research' has long had a

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prominent place in many disciplines and professions, ranging from
psychology, anthropology, sociology, and political science to
education, clinical science, social work, and administrative science.

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
• In doing case study research, the "case" being studied may be an
individual, organization, event, or action, existing in a specific time
and place.
• For instance, clinical science has produced both well-known case
studies of individuals and also case studies of clinical practices.

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• Another suggestion is that case study should be defined as
a research strategy, an empirical inquiry that investigates a
phenomenon within its real-life context.
• Case study research can mean single and multiple case studies,
can include quantitative evidence, relies on multiple sources of
evidence, and benefits from the prior development of theoretical

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propositions.
• Case studies should not be confused with qualitative
research and they can be based on any mix of quantitative and

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
qualitative evidence.
•  Single-subject research provides the statistical framework for
making inferences from quantitative case-study data.
• Case studies may involve both qualitative and quantitative
research methods.

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Method
• The first step is defining the single case or identifying a
group of similar cases that can then be incorporated
into a multiple-case study.

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• A search to determine what is known about the case(s)
is typically conducted.

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
• Data in case studies are often, but not exclusively,
qualitative in nature.
• In multiple-case studies, analysis within cases and
across cases is conducted.

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 Benefits and limitations
• If a researcher wants to study a specific phenomenon arising from
a particular entity, then a single-case study is warranted and will
allow for a in-depth understanding of the single phenomenon and,
as discussed above, would involve collecting several different types

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of data.

• Using a multiple-case research study allows for a more in-depth

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
understanding of the cases as a unit, through comparison of
similarities and differences of the individual cases . Evidence
arising from multiple-case studies is often stronger and more
reliable than from single-case research. Multiple-case studies
allow for more comprehensive exploration of research questions
and theory development.

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• Despite the advantages of case studies, there are limitations.
Difficult to organize and data analysis.
 List of Pros
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.

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2. It turns opinion into fact.

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
• Case studies provide facts to study because you’re looking at data
which was generated in real-time. because there is a proven path of
positive or negative development.

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
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relevance involved, researchers are able to stay actively engaged in
the data collection process.
 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.

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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

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
other forms of remote communication. Even interviews can be conducted over the
phone.

6. It is inexpensive.
• The costs associated with this method involve accessing data, which can often be
done for free.

7. It is very accessible to readers.

• The case study method puts data into a usable format for those who read the data
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and note its outcome. 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 Cons
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

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collected may be based on the results the researcher wants to see
from the entity instead.

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
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. 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 9
accuracy, and that takes time to complete.
3. It can be an inefficient process.
Some participants may be quiet, unwilling to answer even basic
questions about what is being studied. Others may be overly
talkative. If researchers are unsure of how to manage this process,
then incomplete data is often collected.

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4. It requires a small sample size to be effective.
The case study method requires a small sample size, then the case

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
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.
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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

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inaccurate.

M.Rukshika Peiris(B.A./reading
M.Ed in Psychology)
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