CASE

STUDY
Introduction
• A case study is a detailed and in-depth examination of a specific
instance or situation within its real-life context.
• It is a research method that involves an intensive and comprehensive
analysis of a particular subject, which could be an individual, a group,
an event, an organization, or a phenomenon.
Characteristics of Case Study
• Specificity: Case studies focus on a particular case or instance rather
than trying to generalize findings to a broader population.
• Contextual Analysis: They emphasize understanding the context and
environment in which the case unfolds, taking into account various
factors that may influence the situation.
• In-depth Exploration: Case studies involve detailed and thorough
exploration of the case, often using multiple sources of data, including
interviews, documents, observations, and other relevant information.
Characteristics of Case Study
• Holistic Approach: Case studies aim to capture the complexity of the
subject by considering various aspects, perspectives, and variables
involved.
• Longitudinal Perspective: Some case studies are conducted over an
extended period, allowing researchers to observe changes and
developments over time.
• Qualitative Research: Case studies are often associated with
qualitative research methods, providing a rich, descriptive analysis
rather than relying on statistical data.
Case Study Applications

• Market Research: Examining the success or failure of a product launch or

marketing campaign.
• Clinical Case Studies: Examining individual patient cases to understand the
diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
• Epidemiology Studies: Investigating outbreaks of diseases and their causes.
• Therapeutic Interventions: Evaluating the effectiveness of specific
therapeutic approaches.
• Teaching Strategies: Evaluating the effectiveness of various teaching methods
 Case Study Applications

• Legal Case Studies: Examining specific legal cases to understand legal precedents.
• Criminal Investigations: Analyzing crime scenes and the application of forensic
techniques.
• Project Management: Analyzing the success or failure of engineering projects.
• Policy Analysis: Evaluating the impact of specific policies on communities or
organizations.
Designs of Case Study
• To obtain as complete a picture of the participant as possible, case
study researchers can employ a variety of case study designs
• Some common designs include single-case and multiple-case design
Cont…
Single-case design Multiple-case design

• It is where events are limited to • It can be adopted with real-life

a single occurrence. events that show numerous
• However, the drawback of this sources of evidence through
design is its inability to provide a replication rather than sampling
generalizing conclusion, in logic.
particular when the events are
rare
Steps Involved in a Case Study
The steps involved in a case study are as follows:
1. Plan
• Identify stakeholders who will be involved.
• Brainstorm a case study topic, considering types of cases and why they are
unique or of interest.
• Identify what information is needed and from whom
• Identify any documents needed for review.
• List stakeholders to be studied and determine sample if necessary.
• Ensure research will follow international and national ethical research
standards, including review by ethical research committees.
Cont…
2. Develop Instruments
• Develop interview/survey protocols — the rules that guide the
administration and implementation of the servey.
• Develop an survey guide that lists the questions or issues to be
explored and includes an informed consent form
• Note that you will likely need survey guide for each group of
stakeholders, as questions may differ.
Cont…
3. Train Data Collectors
• Anytime more than one person is involved in collecting data, it's important to train
them to implement the survey, observation, or interview in precisely the same way.
• They need to be trained on the meaning of every question, the procedures they
should follow when collecting data, and how to handle questions from participants.
• 4. Collect Data
• Gather all relevant documents.
• Set up interviews/surveys with stakeholders.
• Seek informed consent of each respondent (written or documented oral).
• If the respondent has consented, conduct the interview/survey.
Cont…
5. Analyze Data
• Review all relevant documents.
• Review all recorded data
6. Disseminate Findings
• Write report
• Revise
• Publish
Elements of a Case Study
• A case study do not have set elements that are needed to be included
• These elements will vary depending on the case or story chosen, the
data collected, and the However, case studies typically describe a
program or intervention put in place to address a particular problem.
Cont…
Here are some elements that you could draw out from in order to conduct your case study:
1. Problem
(It is essential to identify what the problem was. )
i. Identify your problem
ii. Explain why the problem is important
iii. How was problem identified?
2. Steps taken to address the problem
(What was done (activities/ interventions/inputs), where, by whom, for whom?)
3. Results
(What were the results of your intervention, particularly the significant or unique results?)
Cont…
4. Challenges and how they were met
• (This focuses on what challenges or difficulties you encountered and
what you did to overcome them.)
5. Beyond Results
• (Are the results mentioned above sustainable? Why or why not?)
6. Lessons learned
• (What lessons were learned: technical, financial, process, etc.?)
How are Case Studies Presented?
• Case studies are flexible in that they can be presented in a number of ways
— there is no specific format to follow.
• Here is a suggested report outline that could be use in presenting a case
study:
I. Introduction and Justification
II. Methodology
a. How was the process carried out? (Describe the process of selecting the
case and data collection sources, as well as how data was collected.)
b. What assumptions are there (if any)?
c. Are there any limitations with this method?
Limitations of Case Study
• Limited Generalization: Findings from a case study are often specific
to the particular case under investigation, making it challenging to
generalize the results to broader populations or contexts.
• Subjectivity: Case studies heavily rely on the researcher's
interpretation, and the subjective nature of analysis may introduce
bias. Different researchers might analyze the same case differently.
• Small Sample Size: Case studies typically involve a small number of
cases or even a single case. This small sample size may limit the
statistical power and the ability to draw firm conclusions.
Limitations of Case Study
• Difficulty in Replication: Due to the unique and context-specific
nature of case studies, replication can be challenging. Other
researchers may find it difficult to reproduce the study's conditions.
• Time-Consuming: Conducting a case study can be time-consuming,
especially when extensive data collection methods such as interviews,
observations, and document analysis are employed.
• Ethical Concerns: In some cases, ethical concerns may arise,
especially when the privacy and confidentiality of individuals or
organizations involved in the case study are at risk.