A case study is an in-depth analysis of a person, group, or event that is studied over time. It involves qualitative research methods like interviews, observations, and document analysis to provide an understanding of real-world situations. Case studies are useful for gaining contextual knowledge about a specific subject. They allow exploration of key characteristics and implications. While case studies provide rich details, their findings cannot be generalized to a larger population. There are different types of case studies defined by their purpose and subject matter. Researchers must consider ethical issues when conducting case studies involving people.

1. Case Study
Research Method
Prepared by:
Leansy Joy A. Perez

2. What is Case Study?
Is an in-depth and detailed study of a
specific subject, such as a person, group,
place, event, organization or phenomenon.
Qualitative Research
Some researcher identify “case” as an
object of study; others consider it to be a
procedure of inquiry.
Good for describing, comparing,
understanding and evaluating a different
aspect of a research problem.

3. What is Case Study?
Sarah Crowe, kathrin Creswell, and Aziz
Sheikh 2021.
 A Case study is a research approach that is
used to generate an in-depth, multi-faceted
understanding of a complex issue in it’s
real life context. It is an established
research design that is used extensively in
a wide variety of disciplines, particularly in
Social sciences and educational setting.

4. When to do a Case Study?
A case study is an appropriate research
design when you want to gain concrete,
contextual, in-depth knowledge about a
specific real-world subject. It allows you to
explore the key characteristics, meanings
and implications of the case involved in a
study.

5. Advantages and
Disadvantages

6. Advantages of using Case Study
Allows researcher to collect a great deal of
information.
Gives a researcher the chance to collect
information on a rare or unusual cases; and
Permits Researchers to develop hypotheses
that can be explored in experimental
research.

7. Disadvantages of using Case
Study
Cannot be necessarily generalize to the
larger population;
cannot demonstrate cause and effect
may not be scientifically rigorous; and
Can lead to bias

8. Types of Case Studies
1. Illustrative Case Study
2. Exploratory Case Study
3. Cumulative Case Study
4. Critical Instance
5. Intrinsic Case Study
6. Instrumental Case Study

9. Illustrative Case Study
 Descriptive case study that makes
unfamiliar familiar.
Example:
A case study of a veteran with
PTSD can be used to help new therapist
better understand what veteran experience.

10. Exploratory Case Studies
 Condensed case studies performed before
implementing large scale investigation.
Example:
A veterans coming home from
active combat. Researcher are aware that the
actions of war are what cause PTSD. Beyond
that, they do not know if certain wartime
activities are more likely to contribute PTSD
than other.

11. Cumulative/ Collective Case
Studies
 Aggregate information from several sites
collected at different times.
Example:
When studying what contributes
most to wartime PTSD, a researcher could
use case studies about PTSD in WW2 vets,
Persian Gulf War vets and Vietnam vets
could provide an excellent sampling of which
wartime activities are most likely to cause
PTSD.

12. Critical Instance
 Examine one or more sites for purpose of
examining a situation of unique interest.
Example:
A vet with an incredibly severe
case of PTSD could be studied to find ways
to treat his condition. Ethics are a large part
of the case study process, and most case
studies require ethical approval.

13. Intrinsic Case Study
 Researcher interested in understanding a
specific individual or situation
 Why?
 Goal = understand the case in all its parts
 Exploratory Research

14. Instrumental Case Study
 Researcher interested in understanding
something more than just a particular case
 Studies the case only as a means to some
larger goal
 Goal = global
 Draws conclusions that apply beyond a
particular case

15. Types of Subject of Case
Studies
1. Person
2. Group
3. Location
4. Organization/Company
5. Events

16. Case Examples
 A Researcher aims to explain the cause of the
reading difficulty and struggle of a grade 4 pupil
in an frustration reading level.
 A Researcher aims to describe the challenges of
working students in ALS.

17. Case Examples
 Student who has trouble
learning to read
 Agricultural Education
classroom
 Private School
 Life Knowledge
 Curriculum project
 May also be:
– Event
• National FFA
Convention
– Activity
• Learning to use a
computer
– Ongoing Process
• Student Teaching

18. Where to find Data?
 Archival Records:
Census records, Survey record, and name list
are example of Archival record
 Direct Observation:
This strategy involves observing the subject, often in
natural setting. While an individual observer is
sometimes used, it is more common to utilize a group of
observers.
 Documents:
Letter, newspaper articles, administrative
records, etc. are the types of documents used as
sources.

19. Where to find Data?
 Interview:
Interviews are one of the most important
methods for gathering information in case studies.
An interview can involve structured survey
questions or more open-ended questions.
 Participants Observation:
When the researcher serves as a participant
in event and observe the actions and outcomes.
 Physical Artifacts:
Tools, Objects, Instruments, and other artifacts are
often observed during a direct observation of the
subject.

20. Thank you!