case study: an effictive tool in qualitative research method

ZENITH International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research ___________________ISSN 2231-5780
Vol.5 (1), JANUARY (2015), pp. 15-23
Online available at zenithresearch.org.in
CASE STUDY: AN EFFICTIVE TOOL IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
METHOD – A SOCIAL SCIENCE APPROACH
DR. V. STEPHEN*, DR. J. FLORENCE SHALINI**, DR. A. RELTON***
*PROJECT OFFICER – CAPACITY BUILDING,
GFATM ROUND – 7 PROJECT, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, BISHOP HEBER COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS),
TIRUCHIRAPPALLI – 620 017. TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA.
**FREELANCE RESEARCH CONSULTANT,
TIRUCHIRAPPALLI – 620 017. TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA.
***ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & HEAD,
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK,
BISHOP HEBER COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS),
TIRUCHIRAPPALLI – 620 017. TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA.
ABSTRACT
Research in social sciences draws on various long established traditions, and in the last quarter of
the twenty century research methods have diversified considerably. Qualitative research has for
several reasons a special relevance for contemporary research in many fields, and it exhibits a
variety of approaches. Qualitative research is oriented towards analyzing concrete cases in their
temporal and local particularity and starting form peoples expression and activities in their local
contexts. Case study research excels at bringing us to an understanding of a complex issue or
object and can extend experience or add strength to what is already known through previous
research. Case studies emphasize detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or
conditions and their relationships. Researchers have used the case study research method for
many years across a variety of disciplines. Social scientists, in particular, have made wide use of
this qualitative research method to examine contemporary real-life situations and provide the
basis for the application of ideas and extension of methods. Researcher Robert K. Yin defines the
case study research method as an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary
phenomenon within its real-life context; when the boundaries between phenomenon and context
are not clearly evident; and in which multiple sources of evidence are used (Yin, 1984, p. 23).
The present study gives an insight on Case study as a valuable method of research, with
distinctive characteristics that make it ideal for many types of investigations. And how its use in
different field makes it a more widely used methodology, once its features are better understood
by potential researchers in organizing and conducting the research successfully.
KEYWORDS: Case Study, Social Science, Qualitative Research, Steps in Case Study,
Advantages
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