Case Study Research Defined [White paper]

A case study is a methodological research approach used to generate an in-depth understanding of a contemporary issue or phenomenon in a bounded system. A case study is one of the most widely used and accepted means of qualitative research methods in the social sciences. The case study approach is particularly useful to employ when there is a need to obtain an in-depth appreciation of an issue, event or phenomenon of interest, in its natural real-life context . Case studies provide researchers with an opportunity for greater depth of understanding of an issue. The case study design is preferred as a research strategy when “how,” “why,” and “what” questions are the interest of the researcher.