Have you ever wondered how complex issues are investigated in social science, management consulting or personnel selection procedures? The answer often lies in the use of case studies. This research method makes it possible to test theoretical findings in practice and gain deep insights into specific phenomena. But what exactly are case studies and why are they so valuable for research?
What are case studies? #
Case studies are detailed investigations of a single “case” or a group of “cases”. This method is used to test theoretical concepts on the basis of real situations and to gain new insights. Cases” can be anything – from individuals and groups to events or organizations.
Types of case studies #
There are two main types of case studies: individual case studies and comparative case studies. Individual case studies focus on the intensive investigation of a specific case, while comparative case studies compare several cases with each other in order to identify similarities and differences.
Advantages of case studies #
The greatest advantage of case studies lies in their ability to analyze complex relationships in detail. They enable researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of processes, developments and cause-and-effect relationships. This allows practical conclusions to be drawn and theoretical insights to be gained into previously unexplored phenomena.
Challenges #
Despite their advantages, case studies are time-consuming and labor-intensive. They require careful planning, implementation and a critical analysis of the results. In addition, they do not allow any statistical inference to a population, which limits their generalizability.
Areas of application #
Case studies are used in a variety of fields, including:
- Social sciences: for the study of social phenomena and group behavior.
- Management consulting: for analyzing business processes and solving business problems.
- Personnel selection procedure: to assess the suitability of applicants by analyzing real work tasks.
Summary #
Case studies are a powerful research method that provides deep insights into complex issues. Through the detailed analysis of individual cases or the comparison of several cases, they offer valuable insights for theory and practice. Despite their challenges, they are an indispensable tool in many areas of research.
FAQs
- What distinguishes case studies from other research methods?
- Case studies allow an in-depth analysis of specific cases, in contrast to quantitative methods that aim at statistical generalization.
- Can case studies be used in any research discipline?
- Yes, case studies are flexible and can be used in a variety of disciplines as long as the research subject requires detailed investigation.
- How do you select a “case” for a case study?
- The selection is based on the research objective and the relevance of the case for answering the research question.
Sources:
- Wikipedia: Case study
- E-Fellows.net: Definition and use of case studies
- GOIT Systems: Qualitative Methods – Case Studies
- Text and science: research method case studies
- Springer: Case studies as a research method