Case Study Research in Practice

Easy to read, helpful text appropraite for the needs of our students.

Clearly sets out suggestions for rationale and concepts and provides suggestions for designs for case studies.
Helpful summaries at end of chapters, useful for 'at a glance' re-cap. Suggestions of further readings helpful.

Extremely well written, detailed and informative text book that will appeal to, and help, any researcher considering using a case study approach. Quite pragmatic, but with essential theory and a good chapter on ethical issues to consider. Lays out key concepts in aappropriate language for UG and PG students.

This is a very useful text for researchers and students interested in using case-studies in their research in the social sciences, international development, and related fields such as education and health.

Case study research in practice focuses on the development of case study research within the context of the field of education and educational evaluation. The book contains four sections and 10 chapters with the first chapter locating the practice of using case study research historically within evaluative qualitative research in the field of educational research and the social sciences. The remainder of the chapter outlines different types of case study which can be employed when conducting case study research. This chapter also includes a useful summary of the strengths and limitations of using the case study approach. Chapter two covers what determines the adoption of a case study approach and the methods employed to explore a particular research topic, as well as, planning and designing a case study and what to consider when attempting to gain access to research participants for the case study research. Chapter three discuss different methods used within case study research for gathering data about a case and provides guidelines to follow when documenting the data collected.

In section two chapter four begins by concentrating on what to expect from participants in terms of capturing and making sense out of their stories and lived experiences about a particular topic. It describes the importance of personal portrayals and accounts, life stories and anecdotal narrative as explorative and confirmative data gathered from case studies. The focus of chapter five is on the role of the researcher in case study research in relation to the procedures the researcher should follow when conducting research with the field in terms of where the researcher sees themselves in the research process. Chapter six discusses research ethics in relation to conducting case study research and ethical issues and dilemmas the researcher may be faced with out in the field, as well as, issues about research participant confidentiality and anonymity, representing the participants voice accurately and ownership of the data collected.

In section three chapter seven and eight examine different qualitative data analysis techniques with regards to the processes which can be employed. These chapters also cover data interpretation in terms of reflective thinking, observations, evaluating alternative interpretations and more, as well as validity, credibility, trustworthiness and authenticity.

In section four chapter nine provides helpful guidance about report writing and the importance of presenting a coherent story for the audience of the report and includes useful steps to take to improve upon report writing skills. The book concludes with chapter 10 tackling issues related to subjectivity, generalisation and theorising in relation to case study research in terms of providing justification for adopting a case study approach with regards to what a case study can and can not do when making claims about research findings.

This book is suitable for anyone contemplating undertaking case study research as part of a research project. The text is accessible in terms of reading level for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as educational researchers, policy makers and social scientists seeking to use case studies within their fields of research. This book can be used as a helpful practical guide for planning, designing and implementing case study research.

A useful text that explains the cocnepts of case study research. Too much focus on education research

Good book for gaining a good working knowledge for using case study - well written, logical and providing a great deal of help and tips.

This book is great for students who want to learn more about case study research. Giving great insight how researchers develop their case study research.

Each chapter is full of useful examples of research and wider range of reference.

A useful supplementary text for students using case studies in their projects. It is easy to read and clearly laid out with plenty of preactical tips and examples.

Provides a good insight into the case study approach.