RESEARCH METHOD COHEN ok

11
Case studies
What is a case study
A case study is a specific instance that is
frequently designed to illustrate a more general
principle (Nisbet and Watt 1984: 72), it is ‘the
study of an instance in action’ (Adelman et al.
1980) (see http://www.routledge.com/textbooks/
9780415368780 – Chapter 11, file 11.1. ppt). The
single instance is of a bounded system, for example
achild,aclique,aclass,aschool,acommunity.
It provides a unique example of real people in real
situations, enabling readers to understand ideas
more clearly than simply by presenting them with
abstract theories or principles. Indeed a case study
can enable readers to understand how ideas and
abstract principles can fit together (Nisbet and
Watt 1984: 72–3). Case studies can penetrate
situations in ways that are not always susceptible
to numerical analysis. As Robson (2002: 183)
remarks, case studies opt for analytic rather than
statistical generalization, that is they develop a
theory which can help researchers to understand
other similar cases, phenomena or situations.
Case studies can establish cause and effect,
indeed one of their strengths is that they observe
effects in real contexts, recognizing that context
is a powerful determinant of both causes and
effects. As Nisbet and Watt (1984: 78) remark, the
whole is more than the sum of its parts. Sturman
(1999: 103) argues that a distinguishing feature
of case studies is that human systems have a
wholeness or integrity to them rather than being a
loose connection of traits, necessitating in-depth
investigation. Further, contexts are unique and
dynamic, hence case studies investigate and report
the complex dynamic and unfolding interactions
of events, human relationships and other factors in
a unique instance. Hitchcock and Hughes (1995:
316) suggest that case studies are distinguished
less by the methodologies that they employ
than by the subjects/objects of their inquiry
(though, as indicated below, there is frequently
a resonance between case studies and interpretive
methodologies). Hitchcock and Hughes (1995:
322) further suggest that the case study approach
is particularly valuable when the researcher has
little control over events. They consider (p. 317)
that a case study has several hallmarks:
It is concerned with a rich and vivid description
of events relevant to the case.
It provides a chronological narrative of events
relevant to the case.
It blends a description of events with the
analysis of them.
It focuses on individual actors or groups
of actors, and seeks to understand their
perceptions of events.
It highlights specific events that are relevant
to the case.
The researcher is integrally involved in the
case.
An attempt is made to portray the richness of
the case in writing up the report.
Case studies are set in temporal, geographical,
organizational, institutional and other contexts
that enable boundaries to be drawn around the
case; they can be defined with reference to
characteristics defined by individuals and groups
involved; and they can be defined by participants’
roles and functions in the case (Hitchcock
and Hughes 1995: 319) (see http://www.
routledge.com/textbooks/9780415368780 –
Chapter 11, file 11.2. ppt).