The case study method involves systematically gathering enough information about a person, social setting, event, or group to help the researcher understand how it works. It’s not just a data-gathering technique but a methodological approach that uses various data collection methods. Case studies can vary widely, from general field studies to interviewing a single person or group. They can focus on individuals, groups, or entire communities and can utilize different data sources, such as life histories, documents, oral histories, in-depth interviews, and participant observation.
Case studies can be very focused or take a broader view of life and society. For example, a researcher may examine a specific aspect of a medical student’s life, such as their actions and behaviours in medical school. It’s important to determine the area of social life to study based on the nature of the problem. When looking at an individual case study, the researcher might conduct one long interview or several interviews, supplemented by field notes, journal entries from the subject, or other documents. Sometimes, a broader investigation is necessary because different aspects of an individual’s social life are interconnected, and one cannot be fully understood without considering the others.
Types of Case Studies:
According to Yin (1994) and Winston (1990), there are three types of case studies:
- Exploratory: In exploratory case studies, researchers may collect data before defining a specific research question. This type serves as a preliminary step to a larger social scientific study.
- Explanatory: This type aims to explain certain phenomena and is useful for studying complex organizations or communities.
- Descriptive: In descriptive case studies, the investigator presents a descriptive theory, which guides the study. The researcher must determine the unit of analysis before beginning the research.
What sets case studies apart from general ethnographic reporting is the detail and specificity of the account. Each case study describes specific events involving particular actors in a defined situation at a specific time. The researcher must decide when to enter and exit the ongoing events and should emphasize the theoretical connections between the events rather than the events themselves. Any technique can be used to collect data, and it’s best to focus on “social fields” since data unrelated to the purpose of the study are considered unnecessary.
Gluckman’s (1961) idea of the extended-case method, referred to by van Velsen (1964) as “situational analysis,” involves collecting detailed material on a particular subject. This method also includes the specific use of that field material as the ethnographer analyzes it. Sociologists and anthropologists have used the extended-case method or situational analysis to discuss conflict as a normal part of social change.
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