Case Study Method

Introduction

The case study method can be defined as the research method which is used for explaining the characteristics of cultures and at times, sub-cultures. It mainly focuses on analyzing events that are, at times, interpersonal to understand various trends and in turn explain a phenomenon.

Discussion

Types of case study method

The various types of case study methods can be listed as follows:

1. Descriptive Case Study Method: Descriptive type of research is the one that describes a problem relating to social reality. It focuses on reflecting on a particular phenomenon, situation, or characteristics of a given population. It emphasizes questions pertaining to what, where, when, and how of a problem. However, this type of research does not focus on the ‘why’ questions. It is particularly employed in a situation where the researcher wants to do an in-depth study about a problem or phenomenon which has not yet been worked on. It is particularly used when the research is invested in knowing the features, trends, and other necessary information about the respective problem or situation. It studies how, where and when an incident occurs and gives comparatively lesser importance to why it happens. 
2. Exploratory Method of Research: It is the form of research that focuses on the who and why of the problem. It uses in-depth methods like interviews and questionnaires to understand a particular phenomenon that has no or negligible amount of prior research. It also creates a design that can be further used by future researchers. 
3. Explanatory Form of Research: It is a form of a case study that focuses on the how and why questions and goes on to explain the context and reference behind the occurrence of a phenomenon. This type of research reflects on the underlying reason behind a particular event.

Advantages of case study method

1. Case study method analyzes a particular event or a particular unit of population in-depth to unearth the embedded data.
2. It generalizes the data that has been derived from the research so that it can be further employed in statistical findings. 
3. It also helps in formulating an intensive questionnaire and schedule.
4. Case study method derives a set of comprehensive data through intensive data collection.
5. It provides us with verifiable data which can be further used or replicated in future circumstances.
6. It is a rather cost-effective method of research as the researcher does not have to be too much invested in the field to carry out the research and can conduct it with the help of a questionnaire, schedule, or telephonic interview.
7. A case study method can be documented so that it can be accessible to future researchers who want to carry out a similar method within a similar circumstance.
8. In this type of method, sampling is not a necessity as the researcher does an in-depth study of an entire social unit rather than working on individual data. Thus, the hypothesis that is generated is highly valued as it turns the ideas and opinions gained during the research into verifiable facts. 

Limitations of case study method

1. Very Less Scope of Representation– The case study method focuses on a particular group of representatives in a given population. It analyses a unit of the population that has certain distinctive features that set it apart from the rest of the population. Hence, it cannot be further used to understand and represent a larger community or society as a whole. It can be only used to understand a similar phenomenon or a unit of population.
2. Lack of Classification– In the case study method, the researcher chooses a particular unit of population or phenomenon, group, or organization. The researcher thus can classify the units that he is focusing on but cannot use it to define other demographics.
3. Has the Possibility of Bias Resulting in Errors-In this method of study, there is an involvement of biased data as everyone relating to the research brings forth their own set of opinions and ideas. An outcome of the research might well go against or support the hypothesis. Thus, in this type of research, it is the obligation of the researcher to grasp the underlying meaning of those data and assign it in a way that it remains accurate, error-free, and replicable. 
4. Can Be Subjective at Times– A well-formulated and ethical research needs to be objective and accurate at all times. However, in this form of research, due to the greater involvement of the researcher with his/her subject of study and field, the data at times, turn out to be subjective which can lead to further errors. 
5. No Fixed Limit– As it is highly dependent on the situational phenomenon, the researcher might face the problem of not being able to find a fixed limit or boundary pertaining to the research and its subsequent data. As this is a flexible form of deriving facts, it can go on for an indefinite length of time.

Conclusion

This method has played an integral role in conducting in-depth research to derive meanings embedded in various social problems and phenomena. It helps in future research as this method can be used to verify a particular hypothesis which in turn helps in the further development of ideas. The data derived in this method of study can be used for future comparison of data.