A case study is a form of research strategy employed in the process of carrying out a research. A case study can be defined as the process of studying a phenomenon within its context. A case study research project studies a phenomenon, an organization, a person or other subject of analysis in order to provide new ways of understanding the research problem. A case study should provide interesting data and results.
Points to consider when choosing a suitable case study
1. The topic of the research
Choosing a case study is much easier if you have a strong foundation of what your research topic is all about. In other words, your case study should go hand in hand with your project topic in order to achieve precise results and specific recommendations.
For example, if your topic has to do with the banking system, it would be wise to employ a case study within the banking industry. This is to enable you to get data and responses from people who are experienced in that sector.
2. Generalisation
Most times, it is always hard to justify the choice of a case study. In a case study, there is always a sample size. The findings from these samples need to be generalisable. The findings should be applicable to the whole phenomena.
For example, if you chose one bank as a case study, the findings should be such that other banks within that industry can relate to it. Generalisation of samples can be done if the case study design has been properly informed by theory, and can, therefore, be seen to add to the established theory
Steps in executing a case study as a research strategy
1. Make sure that the case study fits your research questions
Case studies are useful in providing answers to 'How?' and 'Why?' questions, and in this role can be used for the following types of research: exploratory, descriptive and analytical/explanatory research. A case study research is useful when: A how or why question is being asked about a contemporary set of events over which the investigator has little or no control. (Yin, 1994, p.9)
2. Selecting a case study
There are two options in selecting case studies:
a. Single Case Study: In this option, the researcher selects one organization within an industry/market as a case
b. Multiple Case Study: In this option, the researcher selects multiple organizations within an industry/market as cases.
3. Selecting a depth
There are two options in selecting a depth:
a. Holistic Case Study
In this option, the researcher studies the case as a whole or as a unit. The researcher selects a single organization and examines every process, aspect and relationships with its industry/market. Choosing this option means you are likely going to use a SINGLE CASE STUDY because the amount of information gotten from the case is limited and can be processed
b. Embedded Case Study
In this option, the researcher studies some aspects of the cases. The researcher selects some organizations and examines some aspects like sales, marketing, accounting process e.t.c of these companies. Choosing this option means you are likely going to use the MULTIPLE CASE STUDY because you will be comparing each case.