I have been thinking about writing a case study, but I have seen some comments that suggest that case studies are a "last alternative" poor choice.
Can a case study be high quality, or do they generally have a poor reputation?
What are your experiences? What do you think?
Hi,
In my opinion this would depend on the research subject and the objectives of doing the research. Of course there are different perceptions of the different forms of research and that should be embraced, how boring if we all did the same. But furthermore some styles suit the purpose, subject, and audience better than other forms.
Steve
Case Method can certainly be used for research effectively. The researcher should be well versed with how to write a case and how to carry out the case analysis. He should be able to draw understanding from the undercurrents appropriately to interpret the results while being more objective than subjective. However, the Case Method should be used only when the source or sources of data and information are authentic.
Case studies can provide exceedingly powerful insight into the subjective experiences of populations which are often studied from an objective distance. Additionally, case studies provide a historical context from a subjective viewpoint which are largely lost in the construction of historical narratives. Events, phenomena, etc, are often stripped of the humanistic elements. And yet raw facts seldom command the experience and thus reduce the expansion of knowledge in unilateral directions.
Case studies are also very useful in looking at vulnerable populations through archival records. Sometimes, this is the easiest way to access information about highly vulnerable populations, such as involuntary commitment patients or political prisoners.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Linguistics
- Composition Studies
- Writing