6

personal study
(Case ^tudy)
In this chapter we will learn:
. Meaning and definitions of case study
Features of case study
Basic assumptions of case study
Types of personal study
methodology of case study
Techniques of data collection in case study
Usefulness or merits of case study
Limitations or Demerits of Case Study
Appropriate areas of personal study
case study and statistical method
" Anexample of case study

Sociology is the science of social events and social problems. Social

events and social problems have been studied since ancient times.
In the study or research of social events and social problems, two types
of material are collected - (1) Qualitative material, data, information
or facts, and (2) Quantitative material, data, information or facts.
Qualitative information is collected through case study technique. Whereas
quantitative information is collected through statistical or data related study
techniques. Case study helps the social researcher in making an in-depth or
detailed study of the unit by providing sharp and subtle insight.
Through this, psycho-social study of problems and their diagnosis and
 63
personal study
Solution measures can also be explored. Case study is an in-depth study of an
individual, a group or a household. This study can be done at one time
with
or over a long period of time. Case studies can answer the why associated
people or events. For example, why is the prevalence of alcohol or drug consumption
increasing among youth these days? The researcher can know this social problem by
doing individual study at the level of individual, village and locality.

Meaning and Definitions

of Case Study
Personal study is sometimes used to mean the study of a person's personal
life, which is not correct. It applies to any social unit: whether it is an
individual or a family, a committee, an institution, a group or an entire community;
There is a detailed and in-depth study of. It is used in psychiatry, social
work and social research to obtain complete knowledge about a problem or entity.
Scholars have given definitions of personal study as follows
-Odom -"Personal study method is a technique by which each
The individual factor, whether it is an institution, a mere
event ina person's life, or a group, is analyzed in relation
to other groups."
PV. Young -"Individual study is the method of investigating
individual, a family,
and analyzing the life of a social unit, whether it is an
an institution, a cultural group or a community."
qualitative
Bsenge and Bsenge "Personal study is a form of
analysis, in which a person, situation or organization is
carefully observed completely."
organizing
Goode and Hott- "Individual study is a method of
being studied
social facts so that the unitary nature of the subject
it is a method in
can be preserved. In a slightly different form,
whole. Is seen."
which a social unit is considered as a

from the above definitions that case study is an in-depth and

It is clear
social unit. This is such a deep study that the researchers
complete study of a
available sources and methods to study the subject.
use all possible and

Troncloto tavt
 4 personal study
Collects data about all aspects of the unit. The unit of study, as stated
by P. V. Young, can be an individual, family, institution, cultural group
or community. F. According to H. Giddings, the unit of study in case
study can be a person or an incident in his life, a nation or even an
egg of history.
Characteristics of
Case Study
Following are the characteristics of individual study
(1) Specific Unit of Study - Individual study is the study of a
particular social unit. This lvy can be a person, any incident in his life, family,
caste or any other group (like political party etc.), entire community, nation, any
historical event or any social institution, like court, church, industrial organization
or any government department. Might be possible.
(2) Qualitative Study - Individual study is related to
collecting qualitative information about various aspects of a social unit. It
has nothing to do with quantitative information or data.
(3) Intensive Study- Individual study is the study of a social
unit in its complete aspects from all viewpoints. Therefore, this is the main
method related to detailed and in-depth study of the unit.
(4) Study of Causal Factors - In case study, an attempt is
made to completely understand the nature of an entity. It is a useful method
to understand the reasons why units act or behave in a particular way. Through
this we can know what kind of behavior a person behaves in under which
circumstances.
(5) Use of many sources and techniques -Individual
study is different from other techniques in the sense that in this we
use a variety of sources and techniques to obtain information about the unit.
Efforts are made to obtain information about various aspects of the unit through
every possible source and technique.
Basic assumptions of case study
(Basic Assumptions in Case Study)
Case study technique can be used only for special types of studies.
It is based on some basic assumptions due to which it cannot
be used in all circumstances. The basic or fundamental beliefs of
individual study are as foiows
 personal study
(1) Similarity in Behaviour-Individual study. The first
fundamental assumption is that the basic tendencies of individuals are similar, although
some disparities can be seen in their superficial behavior. Generally, because the basic
tendencies and driving forces are the same, the behavior of people in particular situations is also
similar. If this was not possible then the study of an individual or a unit
would be useless. t is because of this recognition that we can understand normal
behavior on the basis of study of some units.
(2) Complexity in Social Phenomena - The second main
assumption in the use of case study is that social phenomena and human behavior
are complex. There are many invisible and intangible things present in human
behavior which cannot be observed. Therefore, to understand these
complex
phenomena and behavior, it is necessary to study any unit in depth in
the context of other units.

(3) Influence of Time - The third

fundamental
of the use of case study is that social events and assumption
behavior are influenced
by time. Therefore, it is important to understand the
past circumstances
affecting the entity we are studying today and also their effects. Study
done at one time may not help in understanding the unit in depth
and completely.
(4) Repetition of Conditions - Although conditions and
keep changing due to the effect of time, still there are some
circumstances
circumstances which keep happening again and again in almost the same form.
Only a complete study of the unit can help in gaining
conditions and fluctuations in the behavior of the unit.
knowledge about such
(5) Totality of the unit - No unit can be studied by
dividing it into sections or parts. Therefore, individual study believes that
a social unit can be studied only in its
entirety. Only the study of
the unit as a whole, i.e. in a multifaceted
manner, is helpful in
understanding it completely.
Types of personal study
(Types of Case
Study) Generally, case study is divided into the
categories following two major
" Study of an Individual
The study of a person is one of the main types of
because through it the entire life span of a forms of personal study
particular person is mostly studied.
 Hindi English

personal study
go The social Along with studying all aspects of life, it is his.
background the person and the environment which has specifically
of
affected that person are also studied.
While studying a person, various types of primary and secondary
and available techniques are used. Primary sources
information about a particular person
is also obtained by interviewing him and observing his
behavior.
Various information about the life of a particular person is also
from those who meet him. If a person's personal diary, articles
collected
written
by him and autobiography etc. are available, then these are also
used
to study his entire life.
ervice "Study of a Group or Community: Generally people
consider personal study as a complete study about a particular person.
They are limited to obtaining information only, which is
ourpose oft misleading because the
unit of study can be an entire group or an organization etc. From PV
Young's
ence h definition it becomes clear that through this we can explore even the
entire
community. Through this, the life of an entire group or community, any part
of it or any problem prevalent in it can be studied in depth. We can study it
individually on the basis of beliefs and customs prevalent in the community.
Procedure of Case
Study
In case study, an attempt is made to obtain complete information
about a social unit and for this many available techniques are used. Also,
an effort is made to collect information available about the unit
from all sources.
We can explain the working of case study method through the following
to
steps
(1) Statement of the Problem - In the use of case study
technique, the first task before the researcher is to analyze the nature
of the problem, its unit of study and its various aspects. He has to
decide about how many cases to study. In this step the
following things have to be kept in mind
() Choice of Cases -In the analysis of the problem, first of all the
researcher has to decide which cases he has to study i.e. which are the general or
specific cases which he wants to study and in what direction the study should be
done. To do it in a manner or manner.
 personal study 67

(11) Choice of Units: The second thing the researcher has to decide
while analyzing the problem is what will be his unit of study. The unit
may be a group of people or a community.
(ii) Number of Units - After deciding the unit of study,
the third task before the researcher is to decide the number of units.
Because in individual study the problem is studied in depth. Therefore
The number of units should be
limited. (iv) Determination of Scope of analysis
After determining the method of studying the problem, selection
of the unit of study and the number of units, the researcher should also decide
the area of analysis, that is, he should decide which aspects he has to
study. If the whole is not to be studied then clarification of its aspects about
which data is to be collected is essential.
(2) Events and their Determining Factors (Events and their
Determining Factors) The second step in the use of case study technique is to describe
the sequence of events and find out their determining or motivating factors.
We can divide this stage into the following subcategories
(1) Course of Events -After the discussion or introduction of
the problem, the researcher has to describe the sequence of the events being studied,
that is, he has to tell how a particular event or unit happened over time. type of
changes have taken place and if it continues to be so then in the future this unit
or Which way is the event likely to go?
(i) Determining Factors -After describing the sequence of
events, the task before the researcher is to find out those factors due to
which there are changes in the behavior of the event or the nature of the
entity over a certain period of time. While finding out the factors, he
should mention the main factors, supporting or favorable factors
and motivating factors separately.
(3) Analysis and Conclusion-The last step of the case study
technique is to describe the sequence of events and analyze the information
collected about the factors influencing it. By analyzing, it is told what were
the reasons that influenced a particular type of behavior of an entity during
a particular period. On the basis of the analysis, it is told what
form the
limited
unit can take in the future. An attempt is also made to make
generalizations based on the findings.
 68
personal study
Tools and Techniques of Data
Collection in Case Study
Case study technique is not just a means or tool for collecting data like
other techniques, but it is a method or method which is helpful in in
depth and complete study of a social unit. Therefore, various types
of techniques and tools are used to collect facts or data about various aspects
of the unit because in-depth study has to be done. Therefore, both
primary and secondary data have to be available about the unit so that the behavior
of the unit can be understood properly.
In personal study, the following major techniques and tools
are used to collect primary and secondary information:
Techniques for the Collection of Primary
Data
The main sources and techniques and tools for collecting primary information
about a social unit are as follows:
(1) Interview - The first tool to obtain primary information related
to a social unit, which we use in personal study, is the interview
technique. If the unit of study is an individual, then informal or formal interviews
can be conducted with him and the people related to him. If the unit of
study is an incident or situation, then information can be collected by
interviewing people related to it or affected by it.
(2) Schedule - If various aspects and determining factors of the
are already known, then an interview schedule can be
problem
prepared. But this is
not done mostly because the number of units is limited.
Secondly, too many
questions cannot be included in the schedule and thirdly, because there are
different types of informants in it, it is not possible to make the
same schedule
for everyone.
(3) Observation - The third major tool for
collecting primary
data in case study is to observe or observe the person, incident,
situation
or people affected by a particular incident. Sometimes
available personal
documents are also inspected.

Techniques for the Collection of Secondary

Data
Secondary information is called that which has not been collected by the
researcher
himself, but is written in written form by other people or the
informnant (unit of study) himself.
 personal study secondary information
important techniques and tools for collecting
Available in. The most
are as follows:
- Diary is considered an
(1) Diaries and Personal Letters Suchadama because in Howri the
about
important document to get information memoirs of his life. Which can
writes important events and
person (writer)
personality. If the informer writes a diary and his diary
throw light about his researchers, then important and secret
information
becomes available to
cannot be obtained from any other source
can be obtained from it which
or device.
us in providing
(2) Life Histories - Life histories helpgroup about whom they are
detailed information about the person or whereas Thomas
Burgess has considered them as social microscope
written. real experiences
Janniki have considered them as important tools to reach the
and
attitudes of individuals and groups. Life histories are written by the
and provide detailed information
individual himself or about his group and
events and circumstances that have
about family background and all other events, problems and
affected the individual. In these, people face various
circumstances freely.
He also writes his thoughts about the
Usefulness or merits of case study
(Utiliru or Merite ofCase Studv)
case study also has its own
Like other techniques used in social research,
multifaceted and detailed
specific advantages and disadvantages. If a case study
such a situation
study of a social unit is to be done, then in
properties
is considered to be the most useful technique. Its main
are as follows
study
(1) Intensive and Microscopic Study - Case depth. That is why
technique makes it possible to study a social unit in
subtle studies can
Burgess has considered it a social microscope because very
deepens
be done through it. According to Cooley, "Personal study
our perception and gives us clearer insight into life.... It approaches
behavior directly, not from an indirect and abstract point of view."
(2) Complete knowledge about unit - In individual
study, the unit is studied in the form of time. Therefore,
it not only makes in-depth study possible but also provides
information about all aspects of the unit.
 personal study
70
Use of various techniques - Various techniques are
(3)
personal study, especially interview, schedule and observation,
used in collected from it is also more reliable.
hence the information
information about all aspects of the unit is
Also, through case study,
collected.
Many times the
(4) Useful in early explorations - to obtain preliminary information
researcher also uses the case study technique
people related to the
about the problem. By talking tobythethe study, the researcher is able to get
problem or the people affected
and understand it wel.
preliminary information about the problem
Formulation of Hypotheses - Case study is a major source
(5) getting in-depth information
hypotheses because in this, while
ence of formulating correlations.
researcher gets many
about all the aspects of the unit, the
Facts or events become known.
experience (Gainful Personal
(6) Increase in personal
researcher studies the social unit in such
Experience) - In personal study, the experiences. turned and hot it
depth that it also expands his own personal
experience has
Atechiigue that provides detailed
events and processes
been described. (7) Study of long term
techniques help in
duration Events and Processes) - Other
data only at one point of time whereas through individual
collecting processes. Due to the use of
study long term events and
study we can also
variety of techniques and tools, a person's life history or sequence of events
a
This gives detailed information about. (8)
individual study
Helpful in Developmental Studies - Instudying chronologically.
technique because emphasis is given on development of an entity,
Therefore, it is useful in predicting the its behavior in the future.
and even
its behavior at different stages
Iam also helpful.
presents
(9) Study of Personalities - Personal studypeople. From this we come
qualities of different
a picture of the life-related
nature and character etc.
to know about their life, their abilities,
Through individual study
(10) Classification &Comparison - this
properties of different units is obtained. Therefore,
because information about the
making classification easier.
technique is also helpful in comparing units and
 71
personal study
Limitations or Demerits
K

Of of Case Study
for in-depth, microscopic
Although case study is a very useful technique limited
only on a scale in social
and detailed study of a unit, yet it is used
follows
research. Its main defects or shortcomings are as
(1)Vague and Unscientific - Vague and Unscientific
unorganized,
Vague study technique is considered unscientific due to being
selecting the units.
uncontrolled and vague because the rules are not followed in
over them. In this
Also, no effort is made to exert any kind of control
it is not possible to
because the unit is studied for a long period. Therefore,
maintain objectivity in this.
Limited Study: The biggest drawback of individual
(2)
through it. Since the
study technique is that only limited units can be studied This affects the
sampling.
units are less, they are also not selected through
conclusions and the real picture is not known.
technique
(3) Wrong Generalization - Firstly, individual study
units are studied
is not helpful in generalization because only limited
to non
through it and secondly, even if generalization is done, due Even if it is done,
representation of the units, generalization becomes difficult.
flaw ad hoc
it is faulty. Goode and Hott have called this
theorizing.
about all the aspects of the
(4) Bias- In this, because a detailed study is done
chronology (long term).
unit and this study is done according to the
informant. This greatly increases
Therefore the researcher sympathizes with the
the report the researcher
the possibility of bias. If so, then even while writing
may distort the facts in favor of the
informant.
used
(5) Unverified Facts - Although many techniques are
However, there are some
in this, the authenticity of the facts is checked.
others know about them is
people who have dual personalities, that is, what
circumstances, the information given by others
not what they really are. In such
may not be genuine.
individual study because the
(6) Excessive self-confidence - In
finds out all the factors
researcher studies the informant in depth and
self-confidence that he has completely
influencing him. Hence he develops a false
same.
understood the unit and again and again he feels the
 72 personal study
It happens that he has found the solution to the problem. This self-confidence affects
the research of researchers.
(7) Defective Records: Secondary data is also used in case
studies. Firstly, it is not easy to get many documents and even if they
are available, sometimes they are incomplete and may contain many errors.
In fact, it is difficult to judge the credibility of the documents because
they are not written from the research point of view.
(8) More Expensive and Time Consuming: In
personal study, because subtle and in-depth study is done, which can be of
quite a long duration, hence it takes more money and time.
Despite these shortcomings, individual study is a very important technique in
the microscopic and in-depth study of units. It has special importance in psychotherapy.
If we evaluate the faults, it becomes clear that not all the faults are of the technology
itself, but some of the faults are also of the researchers using it, which can be removed.
Appropriate areas of personal study
(Suitable Areas for Case Studies)
Case study technique cannot be used in all circumstances. There
are some areas in which case study technique is the most useful
technique. It can be used especially in the following circumstances
(1) For Intensive Studies - Case study is used to
conduct in-depth and detailed study of a unit. This deep and
It is a particularly helpful technique in microscopic studies.
(2) For the Study of Limited Units - If the size of the
whole is smal, that is, the units are limited and information can be collected
about them, then individual study technique can be more useful.
(3) For the Collection Qualitative Data -If qualitative
data is to be collected about a social unit, i.e. invisible and abstract events
or human relationships and processes are to be studied, then case study.
are more useful.
(4) For the Study of Change and Development - If the
change in the behavior of a social unit is to be studied or the factors
influencing its development and change are to be studied, then case
study is a useful method. There may be technology.
(5) For the Study of Personalities - If the life
history of a person is to be studied or his feelings, attitudes and
 73
If we want to find out the circumstances, then case study can be a useful and best
approach.
Case Study and Statistical
Method
Case study: Although qualitative studies and statistical method are more useful
in quantitative studies, still both are interrelated and are
complementary
methods of each other. P. V. Young says that both the methods complement
each other because each method looks at the same social situation from different
perspectives and tells differently about the social factors influencing that situation.
Although both are interrelated and complementary to each other, yet
there is a lot of difference in their areas.

In short, the following major differences are found between case study method and
statistical method:

point of difference personal study statistical method

1. Nature of study qualitative/descriptive quantitative/
critical
2. Field of study Limited Detailed

3. Number of units Limited aggregate or large group

4. Selection of units without demonstration by demonstration

5. Generalization limited and defective generalization possible

generalization
6. Certainty and precision low certainty more certainty

low precision greater precision

low reliability greater reliability
low clarity more clarity

An example of a case study

(An Example ofa Case Study)
Case study technique can be explained with a specific example. Suppose
a child has a habit of running away from school. We can study it
(because it is only a unit) through case study technique. In this one has
to go through the following steps
 74 Personal Study pe
(1) Statement of the Problem -Hrithik is a student of eighth class.
He goes to school on time on his bicycle, but instead of going to school,
he keeps playing with his friends on the way and returns to his home at the time of
school closing. We have to find out why Hrithik got into the habit of the
running away from school, that is, what are the circumstances due to which he does not
take interest in school, like
(1) Choice of Cases - In this study we have a specific
problem which we want to understand through case study. We are concerned
only with studying single subjects who do not take interest in school
but waste school time outside. Hrithik is a typical example of such Being

cases. of k
(i) Choice of Units - In this problem our unit of study are students of inteli

who have the habit of running away from school.

(ii) Number of Units- In this study our unit is only one devi
student whose name is Hrithik. will l
(iv) Scope of Analysis- By studying all the aspects of the life of a student
named Rittik, we have to find out why he got into the habit of running away Is or

from school.

(2) Events and their Determining factors

Factors) -After the introduction of the problem, the second step of case study is
to collect data about the unit so that the factors of its specific behavior can be known. how
Could walk. We have to study Hrithik because we have to do it in the context of all aspects
of his life.
Therefore, we can collect information about him in the following way Foll
(a) Psychological and Physical examination
Examination) In this the following qualities of Hrithik will be found out
(1) visual power,
(3) Power of hearing,
(i) Power of speaking,
(iv) Height and weight, and
() Physical shape.
(b) Health Examination- In this, Hrithik's health examination
This will be done in the following manner Hist
(1) Ratio between height and weight,
consi
() dosage,
 personal study 75

(0) teeth and

(iv) General physical conditions.
(c) Educational Examination: The following things will be included
in Hrithik's educational examination -
) ability to read,
) proficiency in arithmetic,
) style of writing, and
(iv) Power to remember the text.
(d) Intelligence Test -In this we will try to test Hrithik's intelligence,
that is, we will try to know whether being an eighth class student, he
has normal intelligence, low intelligence or high intelligence. For this,
intelligence measurement scale can be used.
(e) School History- School conditions may also be responsible
for Hrithik's deviant behavior. In this the following things will be
ascertained
(1) Advancement in the next classes (i.e. whether he has been
getting closer to his ability
or by recommendation or by some other means like
copying etc.),
() nature of learning,
(ii)Whether he has been in the same school since the beginning or has come from some other
school,
(iv) To find out about the schools where he has received
education, how the teachers are
there, how the studies are conducted? And how is the
management of the school?, and
(v) How are the relations of the children of that school with their teachers?
() Family History - To know the history of the family.
The following points will be kept in mind
(1) Is the family nuclear or joint, who are the parents,
grandparents, brothers and sisters?,
i) Economic and social status of the family,
(ii) Recreational and other cultural sources
available in the family,
iv) Mutual relations of family members, (
(v) Parents' beliefs towards society
(vi) Parents' opinion about Hrithik getting
education, and
(vi) Hrithik's own interest in studies and support of his
family members in it.
(g) Social Contacts and Social History - In this,
efforts will be made to obtain the following information
(1) What are Hrithik's religious views? Does he
believe in any power
above this world or not?
 76
personal study
(c) How are his friends and does he play normally? Does he play
with children of his own age or with children older than him? (H)
Where and how does he spend his holidays?
(iv) What effect does the environment of his neighborhood have on him?
(v) Are there adequate play facilities in the neighbourhood?
Because we have to get information about all the aspects about Hrithik,
hence we will have to talk to Hrithik and his parents, all the family
members, classmates and his friends and get information about the above mentioned
aspects about Hrithik. This information can help us understand Hrithik's
behavior.
(3) Analysis and Conclusions- We have to get information
about the above mentioned aspects of Hrithik's life and analyze it. Suppose we
come to know that Hrithik's psychological and physical condition is normal,
health is normal, educational ability and intelligence are also normal and he studies in
a good school, but his family condition is not good nor is his company good. Is.
Therefore, it can be said that his friends and family circumstances have forced
him not to take interest in school. Suppose everything else is normal but his
anatomy is not normal, he cannot speak properly, when he speaks his
classmates start laughing in the class. In such a situation, this mistake may be the reason
for his running away from school.

test question
-Short answer questions of 2 marks (answer in about 20-30 words)
Question 1. What do you understand by personal study?
Answer- Individual study is an in-depth and complete study of a social unit. In this, the researcher
uses all possible and available sources and methods to investigate the problems of that unit.

Collects data about all aspects. Question

2. Write the definition of case study method.
Answer- "Individual study is the process of investigating and analyzing the life of any one social
unit, whether it is an individual, a family, an institution, a cultural group or a
community.
The method is called." PV. Young
Question 3. Explain the main features of case study method.
Aooo () Special unit of study, (ii) Qualitative study, (ii) In-depth
study, (iv) Study of factors, and (v) Use of various techniques.

- -