What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Case Study

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There are several methods for conducting research, and one particular quantitative/qualitative method is the case study. This paper tries to expose advantages and disadvantages of using such a method to conduct scientific research. Furthermore, this piece of writing will identify and consider certain characteristics of a case study.
Definition of a Case Study A case study is a research approach used to obtain results that provide insight and contribute to our understanding of a complex issue in the context of our society (Avery, A., Creswell, K., Crowe, S., Huby, G., Robertson, A., and Sheikh, A., 2011). A case study can be defined as the research method needed to investigate events, social issues, and phenomena in real life context (Avery, et al., 2011). According to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2010), a case study is a report of data previously gathered as a consequence of the work performed with “an individual, a group, a community, or an organization” (p.11). The information that was …show more content…

However, every case study demands the formulation of clear questions, great mastery of the language, and abundant knowledge of the existing literature on the topic (Scapens, 2004). This poses a threat to some researchers who think the case study method is easier. Nevertheless, this rigorous process is outweighed by the innovative and very practical results obtained through case studies (Rowley, 2002; and Scapens, 2004). Another disadvantage Rowley (2002) explains is the lack of control over the variables in comparison with an experiment. Lastly, Rowley (2002) states that by using the case study approach the researcher’s ability to carry out an investigation of certain phenomena in its context increases; and that this method avoids the need for replication in a laboratory

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