Methodology and Method in Case Study Research

Abstract

It is the situational specificity or context of qualitative research that ensures the case study remains a methodological approach, inherently valuable in practice-based research. Since this is inherently complex and multifaceted by nature, being able to provide a means of systematically analysing and framing research investigations is pivotal to the credibility of research that can highlight and illuminate these specific contextual issues. This chapter provides a means by which researchers can begin to frame the complexity of phenomena they wish to investigate by deliberately determining its parameter or scope and then framing or binding this. Beyond these processes, an insight into the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data will be provided so that theoretical outcomes can be framed and posited as part of an active contribution to knowledge. The fact that case study can be posited as both methodology and method ensures its capacity to address the need of being able to undertake context-specific evaluatory research or the overall complexity.