Case Study vs Other Research Methods - Essay Example

Compare and Contrast research methods. Case Study Case study focuses on reports and past experiences. It allows the researcher to discover and comprehend complex subjects and cases. It is considered a strong research method especially when dealing with a wide category of information. It is more considerable mostly when dealing with issues related to education and academic spectrum. Researchers focus on community based issues that may be complex and need detail in solving. Case study methods allow researchers go through statistics and make reasonable predictions with regard to solving problems concretely. They enable researchers to study and analyze information with specific criteria (Woodside 57). When using this research method, researchers select a particular sample such as a geographical area and use it as an instance for the study. Case studies define and examine real life instances that are clearly visible and can be easily related. Boundaries have to be set in order to have relevance in selecting appropriate solutions when solving problems (Gagnon 76). In most cases, extensive examination and analysis of an event or an instance are used in case studies. For instance, in studying the development of child language, a researcher would sample a locality. Then the researcher selects an example of a school and a definite population to use as a sample. There are different types of case study research methods, namely: multiple and singular research methods. In multiple methods, the researcher would sample from different cases then analyze and come up with the most probable finding or solution (Yin 85). Informal and in-depth interviews versus and Case study It is necessary for the researchers to insist on real life situations to avoid ambiguity. A singular case study only requires a single case that the researcher would use to formulate the most appropriate solution. Informal and in-depth interviews can incorporate other research methods for proper and satisfactory results. The main goals of a Informal and in-depth interviews are to ensure that the research findings are a true reflection of the real issues on the ground (Swanbon 47). Any resources or reports used in the processes should prove that: It is the only valid method or source of information and that the information could not be acquired from anywhere else. The report should correspond and respond appropriately to the questions asked in the Informal and in-depth interviews of the research. The report should follow the correct laid down procedures of research and data mining. The usual rules and guidelines of an ordinary research and social sciences must be strictly adhered to (Yin 38). The events and activities that are stated in the resource must be recorded according to their chronological occurrence. The order in which the information was recorded should be systematic not to leave out any important detail. In-depth report and informal interviews require social and close interactive interaction between the investigator and the interviewee. It is different from other kinds of interaction that may found in other fields such as public lectures and job interviews. They are based on building a relationship so as to be effective and useful to those that are involved. They are like the types of interaction that one would witness between close friends. They are used in combination with other relevant data that had been collected that relates to the subject matter. This is in contrast with case study as more time is spent on a single interview whereas case study dwells on a sample. Focus groups and Case study. It is very significant and useful in social sciences. The success of a good focus group research depends on the design. The design requires technical thinking and good scientific analysis. All the possible trials for the respective experimental design are analyzed to determine the best probability (Ferguson 83). Focus groups involve gathering people into groups and getting their ideas. Each person creates an impression about a particular subject and gives his or her expression about what they feel about the subject. Focus groups got its origin from sociology and it has got its best application in the field of marketing. Its main difference from case methods is that a group of researchers discuss a problem and brainstorm about its solution. It can be argued that it is an in-depth interview done in groups. Textual analysis and Case study This research method refers to investigators who analyze contents of documents that use criteria such as qualitative procedures. They assess the importance of ideas and meanings in a document. It is differentiated with contented analysis. The meaning is derived from the point of analysis based on dialogue with text. Text is understood from the frame and context of the reference from which it was derived from (Jenner 76). The investigators point of reference becomes the foundation from which the text is analyzed. The textual analysis research method is so reference dependent that without any form of reference, the research can be considered null and void. This is comparable to participant observation by the fact that some textual facts can be used as a reference point for a participant observation. This is the main contrast between the two research methods. This is in contrast to case study as it does not depend on textual facts alone. Ethnography and Case study Ethnography as a research method involves studying the behaviors and way of life the people related to a subject matter. It involves a reference to secondary data as opposed to the use of new data. The researcher is required to avail him or herself to the information source that already exists. This is more similar to historical research though the difference is that ethnography is more data based. Historical research is much more detailed as compared to ethnography. Ethnography is more of a historical research method. It applies to all fields of study and professional activities. The analysis is based on organizational way of life, trends, and future trends (Chitnis 44). It encompasses the origin, the development, theories, and the people involved in the research. The use of historical research method tends to answer such questions such as why, where when and what. This research method is possible if a historical research problem is identified. If the gathering of the relevant information about the problem is possible (Sreedharan 23). There should be comprehensive collection and organization of evidence, which should be verified and validated as the original source. There should be proper selection, organization, and analysis of the data and proper conclusions drawn. The most primary sources of historical data are the most reliable for many investigators. There data obtained from there are regarded as original and not to have been tampered with. The source includes books, eyewitness accounts, and achaeogical evidence for example when researching on ancient tools. Biographical research and Case study. Biographical research is regarded as a developing research area. It seeks to study and analyze the dynamic trends and outlooks of personalities in their daily lives. The focus of their study is what the researchers feel on their subjects and a comparison to their interpretation of past experiences. This form of research requires a lot of observation in order to gather the required information. This makes it more comparable to observation research. In contrast, it requires an intensive study of an individual or subject matter. Case study research methods are more practical and straightforward research method to use in investigating (McBurney 222). These forms of research are used to investigate mainly visual incidences and occurrences. They seek to identify instant results and give responses without any contradictions. They identify and predict future trends with regard to what has been seen or observed (Jorgensen 13). They generate research questions that require direct translation or interpretation. In this study, the research purpose should be clearly stated and defined. The sample selected should reflect the population and the sample size of the research finding (Kumar 78). Panel surveys and case study Surveys involves the use of tools such as opinion polls. The investigator carries out a research topic based on random samples. The investigation variables range from the opinions the the interviewees express when they are asked to give their opinions. Panel surveys are similar to case study by the fact that they dwell on particular subjects. The subject is carefully studied and a response is given as per the case study guidelines. The difference is that a survey is based on specific questions that the interviewee is supposed to answer. For instance, when carrying out a survey about a preffered presidential candidate. The interviewee is asked specific questions why they prefer that particular candidate. The use of research is very significant in business, various reseach methods are applied differently. For insatnce, in carrying out market research about marketing strategies, case study is very vital in the research. Investigators can carryout a research on the effect of changing or replacing certain products that consumers may be used to. Media owners and advertizers rely on opinion polls and surveys to determine consumer interests and preferences. Forensic investigators rely on historic reseach to uncover ancient evidence. Research Method Comparison with Case Study Contrast with Case study Informal and in-depth interviews Both require extensive examination and analysis of events or instances. are used in case studies Allow researchers go through statistics and make reasonable research findings. in-depth report and informal interviews require social and close interactive interaction between the investigator and the interviewee. Case study does not. in-depth report and informal interviews are used in combination with other relevant data that had been collected that relates to the subject matter. Focus groups They both involve the study of specific subjects intensely. Both are design specific. Focus groups involve gathering people into groups and getting their ideas. Case study can be done by a single individual Textual analysis Both derive their reference points from textual evidence. Interaction is focused on text alone, also called textual dialogue whereas other tools of reference such as interviews as incorporated in case studies Ethnography They both involve the study of behaviors and way of life of the people related to the subject matter. Ethnography and case study can both obtain their evidence from historical data. Both of the methods can rely on one another to build on the research. Ethnography is more history oriented while case study is not. It can be declared null if there is no proper historical evidence is found. Biographical research They both identify and predict future trends with regard to the subject of study. Biographical research dwells on a single individuals trend and way of life. Case study is more generalized Panel surveys They can incorporate opinions polls use and questionnaires as tools when extracting data. While panel surveys are subject specific, case study is more generalised and detailed Works cited Chitnis, K N. Research Methodology in History. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers, 2006. Print. Ferguson, Jeffrey R. Designing Experimental Research in Archaeology: Examining Technology Through Production and Use. Boulder, Colo: University Press of Colorado, 2010. Print. Gagnon, Yves-Chantal. The Case Study As Research Method: A Practical Handbook. Québec: Presses de l'Université du Québec, 2010. Print. Jenner, Bryan, Michael Meyer, Stefan Titscher, Eva Vetter, and Ruth Wodak. Methods of Text and Discourse Analysis. London [u.a.: SAGE Publications, 2000. Print. Jorgensen, Danny L. Participant Observation: A Methodology for Human Studies. Newbury Park, Calif: Sage Publications, 1989. Print. McBurney, Donald, and Theresa L. White. Research Methods. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. Print. McBurney, Donald, and Theresa L. White. Research Methods. 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