I have been conducting research for PhD Theses using case study as a method, mainly refer to Robert K. Yin works. At the final step of my research, I define some concepts and use the concepts to build a theory. But one of my examiners questioning the concepts and theory that I provide. He said that the method that I use (Case Study) is not eligible to create theory and my final finding will be only in the form of conventional research conclusion.
I need more information on this issue, so I can make the correct decision-whether to revise my work or to continue as it is now. I will appreciate any advise or recommendation.
Regard,
Linda
Although it depends on the examiner and country/institution, the examiner will probably not be expecting you to revise your entire approach as this would normally not be feasible but, instead, to show that you have considered the limitations of your approach and are able to discuss them. There is no clear-cut rule that a set of case studies can't inform new theories or concepts. However, maybe you would need to alter the wording of your thesis to account for your findings being based only on case studies (you can refer to "levels of evidence").
Hello Linda,
I looked to see if I could find something to help:
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of management review, 14(4), 532-550.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/258557?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
Dooley, L. M. (2002). Case study research and theory building. Advances in developing human resources, 4(3), 335-354.
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.418.668&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Article Case Study Research and Theory Building
I hope you are able to use your research for your PhD; very best wishes,
Mary
Thank You Thomas Welton for your supportive recommendation. I thought you're right, I just need to be more open to discuss the method I've chosen. But I like it most when you stated: "There is no clear-cut rule that a set of case studies can't inform new theories or concepts". It's a confirmation of my personal judgement.
And I will be paying more attention to the "levels of evidence" while I alter the wording of my thesis as you've recommended.
Thank You for your kind response.
Regard,
Hi Mary C R Wilson,
I highly appreciate the valuable links you've sent, it's a very kind of you. Sure it'll be a great help. Thank you for wishing me success. Best wishes for you too Mary...
Hi, Linda Welmintje Fanggidae
It may be useful for you to clarify the functions of cases and theory building in the whole of your research. If case study is the method, how to you describe the functions of concepts and theories as parts of the whole? In other words, what is the "umbrella concept", sometimes called metatheory, under which the cases and theory building work together? Could it be useful to talk about metatheories with your examiners?
Regards,
While some studies that you can build theories from a case study, it is not necessarily to be the rule. It depends on the nature of the area you are exploring, the difficulties concerning that area, and the results from data collected cannot provide direct answers. Still, we can develop theories to explain things.
Dear DR Juha Kamarainen, I guess you are right. I will review my manuscript as you suggested. By the way, "metatheories" sounds like an interesting concept to bring into the discussion with my examiner and maybe with my mentor too.
Would you please recommend the main literature that I should read to get a better understanding of metatheories?
Thank You in advance
Dear Professor Samy Azer,
Thank you for your answer, and also for the link you've sent. Again, it is confirmed that research that uses case study as a method, can provide theory, but it doesn't have to, depending on several factors that you've mentioned.
Dear Linda Welmintje Fanggidae -
You are right. Maybe that is what this old manuscript is assuming. However, this can not be a rule. Several case studies in the literature ended with conclusions or recommendations or assumptions but not exactly theories. Just search the PubMed database for "Case Study" and evaluate the outcomes- do all studies end with or create theories? Put this to the test.
Examine for example this study, among hundreds others. No Theories can be developed or generated.
A profession under threat? An exploratory case study of changes in Norwegian public health nursing
First published: 03 May 2007
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-7657.2007.00519.x
Background: The first courses for public health nurses in Norway were held in the 1920s−1930s. In 1957, the Act regulating public health nursing was passed. Norwegian public health nurses have a primary role in promoting health and preventing illnesses. Their role has changed with a changing society. This article shows some of the challenges the nurses have faced. It focuses on collaboration, tasks, leadership and authority/status.
Aims: The study’s intentions are exploratory. It looks into how the nurses experience their changing role.
Methods: A single case with an embedded design is the method chosen; the case is ‘Changes in the role of the Norwegian public health nurse during the period 1984–2005’. Document analysis and interviews are sources of evidence.
Findings: The findings show that public health nurses’ visibility seems to be an important issue. There are some divergences between relevant literature on the nurses’ professional status and the views of the nurses in the study. Several other public health professionals have lost tasks and formal positions of authority.
Conclusion: The nurses interviewed still feel that they are a respected and trusted profession despite being less visible. A recent study among parents who frequent local clinics confirms their important role. Can the nurses’ lack of visibility have undesired outcomes? A profession that is unassuming, not visible and that fights silent battles may have problems being heard when it tries to promote issues concerning family health. Further studies are indicated.
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