Three approaches to case study methods in education. This multiplecase study research design examined three wia outofschool youth workforce development programs in southern nevada, with outofschool youth participants as the embedded units of analysis. An embedded case study is a case study containing more than one subunit of analysis yin, 2003. Holistic case study designs build a research framework that draws from an array of stakeholders. Case study is a research methodology, typically seen in. The study applies a mixedmethod, single unit, embedded case study design to focus the inquiry on an introductory computer applications course, offered in the fall 2011 semester at a college in western canada. Holistic vs embedded case studies yin2009 holistic single. Pdf designing embedded case study research approach in. The importance of this distinction, and its relation to the advantages and limitations of single case study analysis, is returned to below.
Holistic vs embedded case studies yin,2009holistic. Yin 2009 however, stresses that case studies have both advantages and disadvantages as. This means that the researcher is able to explore the case with the ability to. Yin, merriam, and stake abstract case study methodology has long been a contested terrain in social sciences research which is characterized by varying, sometimes opposing, approaches espoused by. The primary objective of this qualitative single case study is to investigate how tangible resources create sources of sustainable competitive advantage for the study firm.
The singlecase study design was selected over a multiplecase. The case study method is a popular research method that is particularly appealing for applied disciplines since processes, problems, andor programs can be studied to engender understanding that can improve practice. The now famous pile cp1 was tested in 1942, in a squash court under the stands of the university of chicagos stagg field. The motivation for studying case studies is to learn from mistakes. A case study is a common framework for conducting qualitative research stake, 2000. However, the identification of subunits allows for a more detailed level of inquiry. Unesco institute for information technologies in education. This means that the researcher is able to explore the case with the ability to analyse the data within the case analysis, between the case analyses and make. Case study research involves intensive study of a single unit for the purpose of understanding a larger class of similar units observed at a single point in time or over some delimited period of time gerring, 2004, p. This embedded multiple case study explored three situations of student spanish learning.
A comparison of multicase and embedded case study methods julian m. The key commonality of these different caseoriented approaches is that. In two or more organizations, embedded multiple case study. What case study is different forms of qualitative traditions exist and the design of research within each has distinct features cresswell, 98. This may be an individual person, family, group, or classroom. A single case was used because the phenomenon being studied was within one organisation, and this ensured an indepth study of the. This resulted in an embedded single case study design allowing to compile several units of analysis into one case 29, 33. The data was gathered through qualitative interviews with nine organizational members. Policies in one organization with two or more units of analysis, embedded single case study. Nov 29, 2016 this presentation was given remotely on september 29th, 2003 for the collecter latam conference hosted at the university of talca, chile by professor narciso cerpa.
Integrating quantitative and qualitative knowledge. A difference between a single case study and a multiple case study is that in the last mentioned, the researcher are studying multiple cases to understand the differences and the similarities. Within the embedded single case study design, two or more embedded units of analysis are positioned within the case and context. The study design adopted for this research is a comparison of multiple, embedded case studies 15. When using multiple case studies, each case must be carefully selected so that it either. If the same study contains more than a single case, it is a multiplecase design. Qualitative case study research, as described by stake 1995, draws together naturalistic, holistic, ethno. A comparison of multicase and embedded case study methods. Policies in two or more organizations with one unit of analysis, holistic multiple case study.
The advantage of such a design is that case studies allow for an exploration of a phenomenon in. Case study typologies 8 holistic case study this analysis is based on the systemic approach of a phenomenonentity. The advantages and limitations of single case study analysis. Definition of a case study a case study is a holistic inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its. Case studies have to be viewed with a certain amount of cynicism. Fundamentals of case study research in family medicine and. If the same study contains more than a single case, it is a multiple case design. Multiple case studies allow for more comprehensive exploration of research questions and theory development. In the current study, we identified four embedded units of analysis, analysed each unit withinanalysis. More specifically, the aim of this article was to justify a qualitative single case study in the strategic management realm as the most appropriate research design. For the purposes of the study, this research uses embeddedsingle case design yin, 1994. An example of a critical case study was when the theory of nuclear fission was tested in the first manmade nuclear reactor by enrico fermi.
Specifically, the paper will discuss the sampling frame suitable for case study, such as singlecase holistic and embedded, multicase, and a snowball or network sampling procedure. The key commonality of these different case oriented approaches is that. Voluntary stopping of eating and drinking vsed as an. Case study, single case study, multiple case studies. The design, implementation, and analysis should facilitate a synergistic combination of various aspects or elements of the case study. The study uses an exploratory single case study design, using a combination of semistructured interviews and a focus group with additional data from a training observation, documentary analysis of training materials and training evaluation data. The intrinsic case study is done to learn about a unique phenomenon which the study focuses on. Policies in two or more organizations with two or more units of analysis, embedded multiple case study. Multiple case studies not just more data points april 9, 1999 4. Another explanation of this unclear status is that the case study is often defined as the study of one single case, rather than as a way of doing research verschuren, 2003.
The researcher needs to be able to define the uniqueness of this phenomenon which distinguishes it from all others. Yin 2009 presented four categories of case study designs. The single case study is the most basic form of case oriented research, but researchers may also conduct a series of case studies, each study building on the previous, or conduct simultaneous studies of several instances of the same phenomenon as in comparative research. Embedded within yins 2014 case study design are the hallmarks of a postpositivist approach to research.
Case study is but one qualitative methodology, the output of which is the case study. For this purpose, the research employed an embedded single case study using heuristic inquiry to collect data. The interviews and focus group were analysed using inductive, explicit thematic analysis. For the purposes of the study, this research uses embedded single case design yin, 1994. An exploratory case study to consider the distinctive. In an embedded case study, the starting and end point is the comprehension of the case as a whole in its realworld context. Types of case studies explanatory case studies can also serve to test causeandeffect relationships. Case studies can deal with either single or multiple cases. Understanding the conditions that influence the roles of. Group the study of a single distinctive set of people, such as a family or small group of friends.
This study intends to examine the xmoocs offered by one of the mainstream mooc platforms in conoles 12 dimensions. Using interpretive qualitative case studies for exploratory. An embedded multiple case study unl digital commons. Clearly, according to conventional understanding of theory testing, a single case can only falsify a theory. A single case study allows the researcher to explore new theoretical relationships in order to develop a deeper understanding of the phenomena 29. Types of case study person the study of one single individual, generally using several different research methods. If the same study contains more than a single case, it is a multiple case design advantages evidence is considered more compelling overall study is therefore regarded as more robust disadvantages rationale for single case designs usually cannot be satisfied by multiple cases can require extensive resources and time. A unit lesser than the main unit of analysis is defined as an embedded unit of analysis 33. Examples why an organization implemented certain staff promotion. This data was complemented with multiple written documents, videos and personal observations. The single case study is the most basic form of caseoriented research, but researchers may also conduct a series of case studies, each study building on the previous, or conduct simultaneous studies of several instances of the same phenomenon as in comparative research. Case study research in music education newdirectionsmsu. In embeddedsingle case designs, there are more than one subunit of analysis.
Establishing the validity of qualitative studies page 3 september 2002 environmental triangulation this type of triangulation involves the use of different locations, settings and other key factors related to the environment in which the study took place, such as time of the day, day of the week or season of the year. Second, data collected in case studies are detailed, qualitative, and anecdotal, but are rarely systematically or quantitatively measured. More specifically, the aim of this article was to justify a qualitative single case study in the strategic management realm as. Within the embedded singlecase study design, two or more embedded units of analysis are positioned within the case and context. Jul 05, 2014 the importance of this distinction, and its relation to the advantages and limitations of single case study analysis, is returned to below. A second step calls for deciding whether your case study will consist of a single or multiple caseswhat then might be labeled as a singleor a multiplecase study. A case study is a study in which a one case single case study or a small.
Specifically the case study method of qualitative research would be used for this study. In this study, courserastyle xmoocs constitute the main unit of analysis, while conoles 12 dimensions constitute the subunits of analysis. The case study survives in a curious methodological limbo p. Yin, merriam, and stake abstract case study methodology has long been a contested terrain in social sciences research which is characterized by varying, sometimes opposing, approaches espoused by many research methodologists. This case study undertaken in a stroke rehabilitation unit was part of a two staged sequential mixed method approach, incorporating a survey and single embedded case study1. Embedded case study this analysis focuses on different subunits of a specific phenomenon entity. Evidence arising from multiple case studies is often stronger and more reliable than from single case research. Thirdly, in methodological terms, given that the case study has often been seen as more of an interpretivist and idiographic tool, it has also been associated with a distinctly qualitative approach bryman. The difference between a holistic or embedded design, for yin has to do with how many units of analysis are being examined. Hypothesis aims of study to determine whether stroke nurses intended to promote urinary continence in the first instance, or if managing urinary incontinence was their. In two or more organizations, holistic multiple case study.
This presentation was given remotely on september 29th, 2003 for the collecter latam conference hosted at the university of talca, chile by professor narciso cerpa. Padillas 2009 expert model of student success was selected as the conceptual framework for this study. In brief, the case study method allows investigators to to retain the holistic and meaningful characteristics of reallife events such as individual life cycles, small group behaviour, organizational and. Definitions of qualitative case study research case study research is an investigation and analysis of a single or collective case, intended to capture the complexity of the object of study stake, 1995. Multiplecase studies allow for more comprehensive exploration of research questions and theory development. A holistic case is one where the case is the unit of analysis. Semantic scholar extracted view of embedded case study methods types of case studies contributors. An embedded case research could be in qualitative, quantitative, or. Unfortunately, as discussed above, there is a wealth of bad and unverified information. The study applies a mixedmethod, singleunit, embedded case study design to focus the inquiry on an introductory computer applications course, offered in the fall 2011 semester at a college in western canada. Bridging the gap between quantitative and qualitative approaches, embedded case study methods presents methods for interrelating and integrating the variables, findings, and evaluations from the facets of the case i. Single case study an overview sciencedirect topics. In embedded single case designs, there are more than one subunit of analysis. Difference between embedded single case study and mutliple.
Mevit 4800 perspectives and methods in media research eli. The researcher can choose to make a single case study with embedded units. The single case study design was selected over a multiple case. However, the identification of subunits allows for a. When using multiplecase studies, each case must be carefully selected so that it either. Developing a qualitative single case study in the strategic. Case study data collection a hallmark of a case study is the use of. Specifically, the paper will discuss the sampling frame suitable for case study, such as single case holistic and embedded, multi case, and a snowball or network sampling procedure. The case study was carried out in a recruitment agency, located in the helsinki metropolitan area. The coding manual for qualitative re searchers third edition. Discussion will also involve challenges anticipated for each procedure.