A case study is an in-depth study of a particular situation rather than a sweeping statistical survey. It is a method used to narrow down a very broad field of research into one easily researchable topic. The case study research method originated in clinical medicine (the case history, i.e. the patient’s personal history).
Case studies are used in many professional education programs, primarily in business schools, to present real-world situations to students and to assess their ability to parse out the important aspects of a given dilemma. In graduate business programs, case studies facilitate class discussion and collaborative learning between students from diverse backgrounds.
Case studies may be prospective or retrospective in nature. That is, they may document the development of future events or analyze past occurrences. A case study is an appropriate way to answer broad questions, by starting with a comprehensive formulation of a typical, frequently encountered problem and seeking important insights into that problem. Commonly, a case study method selects a small geographical area or a limited number of individuals as the subjects of study. Case studies, in their true essence, explore and investigate contemporary real-life phenomenon through detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or conditions, and their relationships.
Types of Case Studies
There are several different types of case studies:
Illustrative Case Studies
These are primarily descriptive studies. They typically utilize one or two instances of an event to show what a situation is like. Illustrative case studies serve primarily to make the unfamiliar familiar and to give readers a common language about the topic in question.
Exploratory (or Pilot) Case Studies
These are condensed case studies performed before implementing a large scale investigation. Their basic function is to help identify questions and select types of measurement prior to the main investigation. The primary pitfall of this type of study is that initial findings may seem convincing enough to be released prematurely as conclusions.
Cumulative Case Studies
These serve to aggregate information from several sites collected at different times. The idea behind these studies is the collection of past studies will allow for greater generalization without additional cost or time being expended on new, possibly repetitive studies.
Critical Instance Case Studies
These examine one or more sites either for the purpose of examining a situation of unique interest with little to no interest in generalization, or to call into question a highly generalized or universal assertion. This method is useful for answering cause and effect questions.
Examples of Case Studies
Here are some examples of different types of case studies:
Business
The Starbucks Turnaround – An analysis of how Starbucks rebounded from serious financial trouble in 2008. This is an illustrative case study of successful business strategy.
Johnson & Johnson’s Handling of the Tylenol Poisonings – Examines how the company responded to tampering with its products in the 1980s. This is an illustrative case study in crisis management and ethics.
Pixar’s Creative Culture – Illustrates how Pixar fosters a highly collaborative and creative culture. An analysis of the company’s approach to nurturing innovation and creativity.
Psychology
Genie Wiley – Documents the heartbreaking story of a child kept in extreme isolation and abuse from birth until age 13. An exploratory case study of language acquisition and developmental psychology.
HM – The famous case study of Henry Molaison, who had parts of his hippocampus removed to reduce severe seizures. This study revealed key insights into how memory formation works in the brain.
Kitty Genovese – The story of Kitty Genovese, who was murdered while her neighbors reportedly failed to help. This case study prompted research into the “bystander effect.”
Medicine
The Case of the Unlucky Construction Worker – Documents a seemingly healthy electrician who was struck by lightning and developed a personality disorder. An illustrative case study of acquired sociopathy.
Surviving Rabies Infection – Profiled the story of Jeanna Giese, the first known person to survive rabies without receiving the preventative vaccine. A critical case study that questioned conventional medical wisdom.
The John/Joan Case – Documents the tragic story of David Reimer, who lost his penis in a circumcision accident and was raised as a girl before transitioning back to male in his teens. An influential case study on the immutability of gender identity.
Law
Plessy vs. Ferguson – The landmark 1896 US Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation under the doctrine of “separate but equal.”
Brown vs. Board of Education – The famous 1954 case that overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson and ended racial segregation in public schools.
Roe vs. Wade – The pivotal 1973 case that legalized abortion across the United States.
Sociology
The Sociology of Middletown – A detailed study of Muncie, Indiana conducted by Robert and Helen Lynd in the 1920s. A seminal case study in qualitative sociology and ethnography.
Five Chimpanzees and a House in Suburbia – An observational case study of five chimpanzees living in a house with humans. Provided insights into primate behavior and capabilities.
The Wire: A Case Study of Inner City Social Stratification – Used the TV series The Wire as an extended case study to examine theories of social class and crime in urban environments.
Benefits of the Case Study Method
There are many benefits to using the case study method instead of relying solely on quantitative methods:
- Case studies allow for in-depth, multi-faceted explorations of complex issues in their real-life settings.
- They offer a balance of qualitative and quantitative data.
- Case studies provide multiple perspectives from different sources (documents, artifacts, interviews etc.)
- They present detailed insights that can uncover new hypotheses and broaden understanding.
- Cases are more engaging and relatable for students than abstract theories.
- The method discourages quick fixes and broad generalizations.
Limitations of Case Studies
Despite their numerous benefits, case studies have limitations:
- Findings may not generalize well beyond the specific case(s) studied.
- They lack statistical validity and reliability.
- There are high costs and time required for quality case study research.
- The intense focus on a small sample may distort the perception of a broader issue.
- Researchers can introduce subjective biases.
Steps in Conducting Case Study Research
Here are the key steps in carrying out a case study research project:
- Determine the research questions – Case studies are highly focused. Determine what you want to study and what you want to learn from your case(s).
- Select the case(s) – Decide what sites, events, or individuals to focus on. Cases can be individuals, small groups, organizations, movements, events etc.
- Gather data – Use a variety of sources such as documentation, archival records, interviews, direct observations, participant-observation, and physical artifacts.
- Analyze and interpret the data – Categorize and evaluate data to answer your research questions using themes, patterns interpretations etc. Use narratives, tables, charts etc. to present data.
- Report the findings – Outline your case description and key takeaways in a scholarly report.
Conclusion
Case studies continue to be an important research method across fields. When implemented properly, case studies provide valuable insights into real world phenomena that cannot be uncovered through quantitative techniques alone. They illuminate complexities and help put a human face to research problems. However, they lack statistical validity and the results may not be widely generalizable. Overall, case studies are an indispensable tool for expanding knowledge and answering vital research questions, provided they are used carefully and methodically.