Case Study Method of ResearchByJayadeva de Silva.M.Sc, FIPM, FITD

A case study is an in-depth descriptive study of the behaviour of an individual, a group (e.g. family), an organization, or an event.Research students are expected to know about the types of case study, as well as related concepts including data-collection methods and problems of generalization.When using this method of research, students are also expected to be able to understand the concepts

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related to Collecting data, including Self-reports, Observed data and a range of other techniques.

Issues of generalizing from an individual case study.Some case studies are chosen to be representative of a target population There are called extrinsic/instrumental case studies) and are more generalisable; others are chosen because the case is especially unusual or interesting (intrinsic case studies) and these are less generalisable.A case study is an in-depth descriptive study of the behaviour of an individual, a group (e.g. family), an organization, or an event.

EventThe study of a particular social or cultural event, and the interpretations of that event by those participating in it.

OrganisationThe study of a single organisation or company, and the way that people act within it.

LocationThe study of a particular place, and the way that it is used or regarded by people

Group The study of a single distinctive set of people, such as a family or small group of friends.

Person

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The study of one single individual, generally using several different research methods.

The main characteristics of case study research include:A descriptive methodQuantitative data may be collected, but the main emphasis is always on the construction of verbal descriptions of behaviour or experience. .

Narrowly focusedTypically a case study offers a description of only a single individual, although it is also possible (but rarely done) to write case studies of groups.

Highly detailedThe descriptions which are achieved can be extremely detailed.Combines objective and subjective dataThe information collected in a case study can represent almost any combination of objective and subjective data.

Process-orientedThe case study method also enables the researcher to explore and describe the nature of processes which occur over time. The case study enables on-going processes, which continue over time, to be investigated and described in some detail.

The case study is not in itself a methodology, but a collection of methods that the researcher uses to investigate an entity such as a single person, a team, and event or an organization.

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Data collection in case study researchA variety of data collection techniques can be used in case studies, including;-direct observation of behaviour,-interviews,-psychological testing (e.g. IQ, memory, personality),-examination of past records (e.g. medical, psychiatry, criminal)

A case study is completed over a time span of several days, weeks or months.

Case Study research –StrengthsStimulating new research.-A case study can sometimes highlight extraordinary behaviour, which can stimulate new research.-Contradicting established theory.-Case studies may sometimes contradict established psychological theories.-Giving new insight into phenomena or experience.

Because case studies are so rich in information, they can give insight into phenomena, which we could not gain in any other way.Permitting investigation of otherwise inaccessible situations.case study gives psychological researchers the possibility to investigate cases, which could not possibly be engineered in research laboratories.

Case Study Research-LimitationsReplication not possible.

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-Uniqueness of data means that they are valid for only one person.Researcher bias.-Both the collection the interpretation of data.

Memory distortions.-The heavy reliance on memory when reconstructing the case history means that the information about past experiences and events may be notoriously subject to distortion.Not possible to replicate findings.-Serious problems in generalising the results of a unique individual to other people because the findings may not be representative of any particular population.

Generalisability-Data from the case study could not necessarily be generalised to others nor would it be desirable to do so at times.However, it would be incorrect to suggest that generalizing from an individual case study is not possible, since the general is always present in the particular (Arksey and Knight 1999)

Intrinsic case studies in case study research-Intrinsic case studies are those studied for their own sake, because they are interesting in themselves-there is no intention to generalize the findings.-Sufficient intrinsic merit for the narrative to speak for itself - requires no further justification.

Extrinsic case studies in case study research

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Extrinsic case studies may be chosen for their Representativeness and therefore the findings may be generalized to similar situations.

What is Triangulation?Students should be aware of the term traingualtion.Triangulation is the application and combination of several research methodologies in the study of the same phenomenon.“The use of evidence from different sources, of different methods of collecting data and of different investigators, where feasible, are all triangulation techniques which enhance credibility.”

*Jayadeva de Silva obtained Master’s degree in Science from Russian Friendship University Moscow and Diploma in Personnel Management from National Institute of Business Management (SriLanka). He is a fellow of both the Institute of Personnel Management IPM) and Institute of Training & development. (SLITAD) He is also professionally qualified in training systems & curriculum design with an ILO fellowship.

A strong advocate of Human Talents Development, Jayadeva is the Principal Consultant/Director of Humantalents Unlimited, a professional practice that provides training & consultancy in Management. Jayadeva has carried out several consultancy projects and conducted numerous management development programs/strategic planning workshops, and has been trained in many modern management and leadership concepts. He has contributed articles (over 50) and authored the trend setting book ‘Human Talents Management’.

He founded humantalents International and HRSriLanka virtual learning Groups. Jayadeva de Silva functioned as Group Manager (Human Resources Development) of Hayleys Group of Companies and Group Director–Human Resources of Brown & Co. He serves as a resource person for professional and post graduate courses primarily in the areas of HRM & HRD at Post graduate Institute- University of Peradeniya, University of Ruhuna, ICFAI University (India), University of Ballarat (Australia) SriLanka Foundation Institute IPM & SLITAD.

He is a past president of HRDGateway, an International organization of over 45,000 HR Professionals worldwide. He is featured in the millennium registry of SriLankan personalities

He can be contacted as follows

E mail djayadeva@gmail.com

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