Definitions and Concepts
What is the main focus of a case study?
A detailed exploration of an individual, group, or phenomenon in its real-life context.
Name one advantage of case study research.
Produces rich, detailed, contextualized data.
Name one common criticism of case studies.
Subjectivity or lack of generalizability.
What is a retrospective case study?
Looks back on past events.
Are case studies considered a method or a research type?
A type of qualitative research.
Why are case studies useful for theory development?
They reveal new hypotheses and causal links.
What is “selection bias” in case study research?
Researcher’s bias in choosing a case that supports their view.
What is a snapshot case study?
Examines a case at one specific moment in time.
What is the difference between a case (subject) and a research field (object)?
The case is the specific example studied; the research field is the broader context or framework.
What does “conceptual validity” refer to?
Ensuring that the indicators best reflect the theoretical concepts.
Why do some researchers think case studies can’t be generalized?
Because they involve one or few cases, not representative samples.
What is a diachronic case study?
Examines smaller units within a larger case.
What makes case studies more qualitative than quantitative?
They focus on meanings, interpretations, and context.
How do case studies help explore causal mechanisms?
They trace detailed cause-and-effect relationships.
What misunderstanding did Flyvbjerg correct about generalization?
A single case can still contribute to scientific generalization.
What is a nested case study?
Examines smaller units within a larger case.