{"id":75831,"date":"2019-05-08T14:52:25","date_gmt":"2019-05-08T12:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.nl\/?p=75831"},"modified":"2023-06-22T10:26:11","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T08:26:11","slug":"case-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/methodology\/case-study\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods"},"content":{"rendered":"

A case study<\/strong> is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research.<\/p>\n

A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods<\/a>, but quantitative methods<\/a> are sometimes also used. Case studies are good for describing<\/a>, comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a research problem<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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When to do a case study<\/h2>\n

A case study is an appropriate research design<\/a> when you want to gain concrete, contextual, in-depth knowledge about a specific real-world subject. It allows you to explore the key characteristics, meanings, and implications of the case.<\/p>\n

Case studies are often a good choice in a thesis<\/a> or dissertation<\/a>. They keep your project focused and manageable when you don\u2019t have the time or resources to do large-scale research.<\/p>\n

You might use just one complex case study where you explore a single subject in depth, or conduct multiple case studies to compare and illuminate different aspects of your research problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Case study examples<\/caption>\n
Research question<\/th>\nCase study<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
What are the ecological effects of wolf reintroduction?<\/td>\nCase study of wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How do populist politicians use narratives about history to gain support?<\/td>\nCase studies of Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and US president Donald Trump<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How can teachers implement active learning strategies in mixed-level classrooms?<\/td>\nCase study of a local school that promotes active learning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of wind farms for rural communities?<\/td>\nCase studies of three rural wind farm development projects in different parts of the country<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How are viral marketing strategies changing the relationship between companies and consumers?<\/td>\nCase study of the iPhone X marketing campaign<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How do experiences of work in the gig economy differ by gender, race and age?<\/td>\nCase studies of Deliveroo and Uber drivers in London<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Step 1: Select a case<\/h2>\n

Once you have developed your problem statement<\/a> and research questions<\/a>, you should be ready to choose the specific case that you want to focus on. A good case study should have the potential to:<\/p>\n