Understanding the nature and composition of a group or an individual requires proper analysis that encompasses various approaches to extract the right information. A researcher should comprehend the features of the subject in order to design the appropriate method. For situations that require deep insight into the person or event’s information, a case study analysis might be effectively following its ability to explore and describe all the aspects of the population under examination. The aim of the research is to focus on a case study, the purpose of the technique, and various types of analysis.
Generally, a case study is a qualitative descriptive analysis that entails collecting and presenting information concerning a given group, an individual, or an event. The focus of the research is aimed at extracting details of all aspects of the subject under examination. The overall conclusion of the scrutiny is drawn based on the group or the person being examined (Heale & Twycross, 2018). In other words, a case study encompasses the investigation of the overall interplay of the available variables to give an in-depth finding for a proper understanding of the scenario being explored. The complete comprehension of the situation under evaluation is achieved through the thick description process. Therefore, it incorporates thorough interpretations of the aspects of the study to unveil the information.
Purpose of a Case Study
Case studies follow a given format that is a problem being examined, followed by an array of possible solutions. The findings are tied to a situation where one of the solutions had been used to solve the same situation. Based on the criteria, the aim of a case study is to identify a real-life scenario where a given theoretical concept can be applied to manage or explain the existing problem (Heale & Twycross, 2018). It is achieved through proper analysis of the key issues to find the concepts from the perspective of the condition.
Different Types of Case Studies
Depending on the objectives of each researcher, there are a number of categories of case studies they can choose from to meet their goals. Some of the classes include explanatory, illustrative, cumulative, critical instance, and intrinsic case studies. The named approaches are applicable based on the situation whose solutions are being explored by the investigator. Each of the types provides reliable insight into the issue under study.
Explanatory Case Studies
Explanatory case studies are summarized investigations conducted before involving in an extensive examination. The aim of this category is to enable the researcher to identify different sets of questions and determine the various types of measurements (Heale & Twycross, 2018). Despite the effectiveness of applying this approach, it has some aspects of shortcomings. For instance, the initial results may seem significant, prompting the investigator to release the findings as the final findings making the study premature.
Illustrative Case Studies
Illustrative case studies are more descriptive research whereby the investigator refers to one or many instances of a given situation to understand its context. They are used in order to make the unfamiliar scenario common and understandable for proper analysis. The illustrative case study allows readers to be familiar with the research and the key topic under scrutiny (Heale & Twycross, 2018). Therefore, it is suitable in circumstances in which the researcher wants to make the situation clear and easy to understand.
Cumulative Case Studies
Cumulative case studies entail combined data collected from various sites at different times. This approach allows the researchers to gain insight into information from varied sources. Investigators applying the criteria to evaluate the problem must choose the type of question to explore. Furthermore, it enables the analysts to make a generalization about the given scenario. By focusing on past reviews, the researchers are capable of acquiring in-depth findings without incurring additional time and costs.
Critical Instance Case Studies
A critical instance case study is descriptive research that focuses on situations that are unique and do not have a predetermined purpose. It involves an examination of more than one site to evaluate the situation of interest. This type of analysis is essential when the investigators intend to answer questions about the cause and effects of the problem under investigation (Heale & Twycross, 2018). It enables the researchers to comprehend questions that are challenging and require universal assertion.
Intrinsic Case Studies
An intrinsic case study is a descriptive research method applicable in situations where the investigator has a personal interest in the investigation. The approach allows researchers to devote themselves to understanding changes associated with the problem. It is useful in examining psychological aspects that require deep analysis. Moreover, it enables analysts to focus on the specific scenario to draw effective conclusions relevant to the goals and objectives of the study.
Conclusion
In summary, a case study is an essential aspect of evaluation design that allows researchers to explore various aspects of the problem depending on the objectives of the investigation. It provides deep insight into the situation, which makes it possible for the readers to comprehend the context of the topic. There are various case studies, including illustrative, explanatory, intrinsic, and cumulative. They provide the researchers with an opportunity to choose the best style that suits the needs of the analysis.
Reference
Heale, R., & Twycross, A. (2018). What is a case study?. Evidence-based nursing, 21(1), 7-8. Web.