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Case Study Research

A case study research paper examines a person, place, event, condition, phenomenon, or other type of subject of analysis in order to extrapolate key themes and results that help predict future trends, illuminate previously hidden issues that can be applied to practice, and/or provide a means for understanding an important research problem with greater clarity. A case study research paper usually examines a single subject of analysis, but case study papers can also be designed as a comparative investigation that shows relationships between two or more subjects. The methods used to study a case can rest within a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method investigative paradigm.

 

“For knowledge you will use in the real world - in business, for example, or in engineering or medicine - the "what" [to think] isn't sufficient.

You must know how to apply the knowledge to the real world.”

William Ellet, The Case Study Handbook

What is a case study?

A Case study is: 

  • An in-depth research design that primarily uses a qualitative methodology but sometimes​​ includes quantitative methodology.
  • Used to examine an identifiable problem confirmed through research.
  • Used to investigate an individual, group of people, organization, or event.
  • Used to mostly answer "how" and "why" questions.

 

Examples of cases: 

  • An organisation. For example a company, a business, a school, a sports club, a health body.
  • A group. For example a class of pupils, an individual team within an organisation, a project group, a sports club.
  • An individual. For example a patient, a client, a specific student/pupil, a manager/leader.
  • An event. For example a sporting occasion, a cultural event, a news story, an historical event.
  • An issue. For example a dilemma, problem, critical event, change of practice.

Recommended Guides on the Web

This guide is provided by the Case Centre. The Case Centre offers a variety of information related to case writing.

  • Case Study Report Guide

    A thorough case study report writing guide made by the University of Guelph. Includes clear guidelines and examples.

What are the different types of case studies?

Case Study Type

Explanation

Question Example

 

 

Descriptive

This type of case study allows the researcher to:

  • Investigate a phenomenon from the participants’ lived experiences in narrative form.

  • Usually begin with a descriptive explanation of a theory that supports the phenomenon being researched.

 How has the implementation and use of the instructional coaching intervention for elementary teachers impacted students’ attitudes toward reading?

 

Explanatory

This type of case study allows the researcher to:

  • Develop a project or investigate an intervention to identify themes and discover new outcomes.
 Why do differences exist when implementing the same online reading curriculum in three elementary classrooms?

 

Exploratory

This type of case study allows the researcher to:

  • Help define questions or hypotheses.
  • Identify the boundaries for subsequent research studies.
 What are potential barriers to student’s reading success when middle school teachers implement the Ready Reader curriculum online?

Multiple Case Studies

or

Collective Case Study

This type of case study allows the researcher to:

  • Learn about the complexity of an issue.
  • Use purposeful sampling of cases that tailor to the specific study. 
  • Provide a variety of  context from different studies to determine a theme or finding from the evidence provided.
 How are individual school districts addressing student engagement in an online classroom?

 

Intrinsic

This type of case study allows the researcher to:

  • Understand a specific case through a primarily descriptive exploration.

  • Not have set expectations, but rather focus on gaining a better understanding of the case.

 How does a student’s familial background influence a teacher’s ability to provide meaningful instruction?

 

Instrumental

This type of case study allows the researcher to:

  • Provide information for further understanding of a phenomenon,  issue, or problem.

  • Aim to focus on the outcome or results instead of the research topic.

How a rural school district’s integration of a reward system maximized student engagement?