A case study is an in-depth investigation of a specific person, group, organization, event, community, or situation within its real-world context.
Researchers use case studies to understand a subject in detail and within its real-world context, often drawing on multiple sources of information to build a more complete understanding of the case.
Case studies are commonly used in social science, education, business, psychology, political science, healthcare, and other fields where researchers want to closely examine a complex or unique case.
How do case studies work?
Researchers select a clearly defined case that is relevant to the research question and gather detailed information about it over a defined period.
A case study may involve:
Conducting interviews or observations
Reviewing documents, records, or other existing materials
Collecting qualitative or quantitative data
Combining information from multiple sources
Examining how a case developed within its broader context
Identifying patterns, processes, or explanations within the case
Exploring how or why a particular event, process, or outcome occurred
For example, researchers might examine how a school implemented a new teaching program, study how an organization responded to a major change, or investigate the development of a particular community initiative.
Strengths of case studies
Case studies allow researchers to:
Examine complex topics in depth
Study a subject within its real-world context
Combine multiple types and sources of evidence
Capture details that may be missed in larger studies
Explore how and why particular events or processes occur
Generate new ideas or hypotheses for future research
Describe, explore, or explain complex situations in detail
Case studies can be especially useful when researchers want a detailed understanding of a specific situation or process and the context surrounding it.
Limitations of case studies
Because case studies focus on a limited number of cases, their findings may not apply directly to other populations, settings, or situations.
The selection and interpretation of evidence may also be influenced by researcher judgment, which can introduce bias. Because case studies are flexible in how evidence is collected and analyzed, the rigor of the research process is especially important.
Case studies can provide rich detail about a particular case, but they generally cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships on their own.