Case Study Research: Design and Methods

Applied Social Research Methods #5

by Robert K. Yin

Providing a complete portal to the world of case study research, the Fifth Edition of Robert K. Yin’s bestselling text offers comprehensive coverage of the design and use of the case study method as a valid research tool. The book offers a clear definition of the case study method as well as discussion of design and analysis techniques. The Fifth Edition has been updated with nine new case studies, three new appendices, seven tutorials presented at the end of relevant chapters, increased coverage of values and ethics, expanded discussion on logic models, a brief glossary, and completely updated citations. This book includes exemplary case studies drawn from a wide variety of academic fields.

Genres: Research, Reference, Research Methods, Nonfiction, Education, Science, Qualitative Research

312 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1984

Reviews

[Sarah Clement · Rating 4 out of 5]

The case study method has struggled a lot over the years to gain respect. Although it is a very useful method for untangling social complexity, it's often viewed as a weak form of research in an increasingly quantitative world. To make matters worse, I see the term "case study" thrown around like crazy in this internet world, suggesting that it really is a method that anyone can do. However, a rigorous approach to case studies is a far cry from the n=1 "case studies" and testimonials I seem to see everywhere these days. Yin addresses the criticisms of case studies head on and attends to them in a very clear way. This book, in my opinion, is one of the most practical, useful books on the topic of case study design. It forces the researcher to be explicit in the theories and propositions that underly the case study and attend to important issues like external/internal validity. The book is succinct, highly readable, and well-written. I urge anyone who wants to do a case study to pick up a copy of this book...just make sure that you read it before you start for best results!

[Gordon Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best methodology textbooks that I've read. I have a quite a few sound reasons for the 5 star rating. In the first place, I must admit that I am a slow reader. But the slowness gives me much time to develop a deep understanding about what I am reading. So far, I've finished reading several methodology texts in the area of social sciences, such as Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (J. Creswell), Qualitative research design (J. Maxwell), Basics of qualitative research (Strauss & Corbin), and Case study (Yin), the one I am commenting. Comparatively speaking, Creswell's book is a disaster; I recommend Yin and Maxwell. If you choose a methodology text based on the number of citations, you might be tricked.

I don't want to go further with the content of each textbook listed above. I just want to say, when evaluating a textbook, you must ask yourself a question "Can this book really help me with my research?" If the answer is positive, the book is good. Or it is bad. I did not get anything from Creswell after I finished that dictionary-like text. To determine the quality of a text, audience should consider two factors: First, is the writer a researcher? Second, is the writing of the text based on sound research?

If the author is not a real researcher, how could he write a reasonable book to help you understand how to research? The reason for the popularity of Cook and Campbell's (1979) book Quasi-experimentation is that they themselves are brilliant researchers. They know how to research and it is very possible for them to explain and convey the essence of how to do. Seen from this perspective, Yin's book should not be bad because he is a well-known researcher in program evaluation. Note that he received strict training in psychology at MIT. Strauss's book give audience a lot of details. He is the founder of grounded theory. I should say his book is good even for those who does not prefer this method. Maxwell is ok. After all he is hard-working and he also conducts studies in the area of education. I don't recommend Creswell because he is just a writer who is good at piling up information. From his big books, I am not sure if you really can make sense.

At the same time, we must pay attention to the soundness of the literatures on which the textbook writing is based. If the writing is based on empirical studies, it is more possible for the book be successful than those based mainly on explanation, theories, and book chapters without empirical studies. To let audience know how to do research, the text writer should read a lot of empirical studies from which he/she summarizes and conveys the methods of doing research. When you read Yin's book, you will find that the majority literatures that he referred to are empirical ones. Across that book, he recommended many books and articles of empirical research. With the help of Yin and some example books that he recommended, possibly, you will know how to do research. With this said, Strauss's book is good too.

[Cherice Bock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is seen as the standard in case study texts, but I didn't find it that helpful. There were a few things that were helpful about research analysis, but other than that, the info about setting up a case and that sort of thing seemed pretty self-explanatory and can be understood through reading a chapter or section of an overview to qualitative analysis. Yin's text also only really applies to a certain kind of case study, ones that are more like quantitative studies, and didn't really apply to studies that focus on meaning and theory development. I liked Swanborn's Case Study Research much better.

[Janik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hat mich wirklich inspiriert. Ist aber auch der Klassiker. Well done. Let's do some Case Studies!

[Rallorien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by my dad while I was struggling with my dissertation research, and, while it definitively isn't written for my field, it's been remarkably useful in forcing me to think about my project design, analysis, etc. I highly recommend it for those working within the social sciences, as, despite taking multiple Project Design courses, I had never learned most of what's covered in the book. Six clearly defined chapters moving from designing a case study to reporting your case study walk any new researcher through the steps. I only wish I had read it much earlier in my research. I'll definitely be rereading as I move onto subsequent steps.

[Aliya Khasseneyeva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book which clarifies the aims and use of case study research in a simple understandable language. Especially interesting was to find out principles and recommendations for data collection. Triangulation - quite useful for my research.
after reading this book I started thinking about using multiple-case study design as it is believed to be more rigorous and valid. Another thing I took from the book is the usefulness of a pilot study. Now I feel that this research is going to be really difficult...

[Trauman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. As I'm working through my prospectus, I'm trying to figure out exactly what my research methodology is going to look like. But I don't have an extensive background on developing a case study. I've read plenty of them, but not really with the idea that I'd have to build one myself.

This book is clearly written, and yet offers a subtle and complicated understanding of the work that case studies do. Yin breaks the work into components and explains how each of the components work.

I'm only through the first 50 pages, but I'm finding it invaluable at the moment.

Highly recommended.

[Wagner Ricarth]

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dougla...

𝐀 𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐝𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐨 𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐚

A menos que a sua pesquisa seja sobre um porco que fala, você precisa justificar muito bem como realizou a seleção do(s) caso(s). Essa é uma anedota que uso com frequência nas bancas, quando vejo que o caso estudado simplesmente aparece do nada, sem critérios claros de seleção.

⏩ Tentar justificar a escolha dos casos em retrospectiva, depois que os dados já foram coletados, é muito problemático. Ainda pior é quando o autor comete o sincericídio de dizer que o caso foi selecionado por conveniência. "Eu tinha acesso fácil ao caso" é uma resposta típica, mas inaceitável.

⏩ Se você encontrar um porco falante, é irrelevante explicar detalhadamente porque esse foi o caso escolhido. Do contrário, invista bastante tempo elaborando os critérios para seleção de casos que permitam responder a pergunta de pesquisa, mostre vários possíveis casos que poderiam ter sido selecionados, e por fim, justifique porque escolheu A e não B.

⏩ Estudar múltiplos casos, ao invés de um caso único, também é uma dica para tornar a pesquisa mais robusta e com maiores possibilidades de análises e contribuições.

Em tempo, emprestei a anedota do talking pig de "Siggelkow (2007). Persuasion with case studies. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 20-24". Quem quiser um roteiro simples para aprender a desenhar estudos de caso, recomendo "Estudo de caso - Planejamento e Métodos", de Robert Yin.

hashtag#research hashtag#science hashtag#management hashtag#casestudy hashtag#gestão

[Farhan Samir · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great guide for planning and conducting explanatory case studies. It describes every step of the case study process, from establishing research questions to writing the final case study report, with excellent advice on maintaining scientific rigor.

My only gripe with the book is that it is almost entirely concerned with conducting explanatory case studies and has little advice on developing a descriptive one even though Yin (misleadingly) suggests towards the beginning that his advice also pertains to descriptive studies.

[Helene Uppin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic by Robert K. Yin. Readable; short enough to give a birds-eye underatanding of the strategy; practical; packed with examples and references to further reading in more specific bits. Recomend to anyone doing (or evaluating/reading) case-study research in social sciences, whatever the academic degree.

Uhm.. And better read it before you start collecting your data...

[Darby Calm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not 100% convinced I am going to go with case study for my dissertation. This book doesn't easily delineate between quantitative and qualitative (case studies can be both or either/or). I had to reference outside material to make better sense of the methodology. 3 stars even though I have revisited this book many times.

[Rebecca S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for a graduate class. Difficult language for a first year, and the information is so tightly squeezed into each chapter. It did help in my understanding of case study research but would have worked better if we had more time to "unpack" the chapters.

[Apostolos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a thorough book on doing case studies

[Edy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used this while writing a dissertation. Very helpful.

[Sergej van Middendorp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic method book for case study research, used it to great effect in my PhD dissertation.

[Felipe Bragança · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutamente 'must read' para quem utiliza o método de estudo de caso em suas pesquisas.

[An Te · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful book for case study methodology. Outstanding in its field. A prudential read in this area. A faithful guide to case study research.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information on designing a quality research study

[Pearlyn Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible and clear. A useful guide for qualitative researchers with a positivist paradigm. Once I realize that, I had to put this book down.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book of writing advice. I love Writer’s style. Highly recommend for other.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really useful introduction to case study research. The stages set out are clear and the activities are described in adequate detail for the most part. Some sections could use further explanation but that knowledge may better saved for other books anyway.

I'm unfamiliar with the arguments against (and for) case study research, however Yin makes sure to explain how some view it negatively without ruining the purpose of his book.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book (although it's not the most current edition) upon multiple recommendations that this is a seminal read for individuals wishing to explore the nuances of case study research. I have to say that I think it did a good job in providing a 10,000 foot view of case study from conception to publication; however, my general lack of familiarity with the subject matter (my background being more rooted in quantitative approaches to research) made this a difficult read. It might be better received by someone with at least some qualitative research training; however, for me, it was a struggle to conceptualize. That said, it has piqued my interest in reading some of the case studies referenced in the book.

[Dr. Chad Newton, PhD-HRD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yin's text provides an in-depth understanding of a primary model used in qualitative research. The case study method represents a major design in organization research and consulting services. Consulting companies such as W.L. Gore and Boston Consulting Group utilize this research method in their exploratory research. I found many facts in this text that will help my future research when I write articles. Yin's text was a required book in my PhD course on qualitative research methods.

[Sancho · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a classic reference when using case studies to do research. I think it is very useful to solve questions that arise from this methodology, especially regarding the actual operationalization of the study, the presentation to and selection of the audience, and the way in which the findings can be used to contribute to science.

All in all, it is an easy book to read, I think that the author has a vast experience and is very good at communicating it to the reader.

[Lisa Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yin's case method provides a practical and comprehensive model for an empirical project. His descriptions of different design options are interesting and easy to follow and use. In contrast to other case study researchers, Yin tends to be more positivist/post-positivist, which seemed most evident to me in his detailed tests for validity. This text seems to be a must-read, and it has richly informed my dissertation.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive account of case study research. Yin comes from a quantitative background and often explains case study using quantitative terms (like validity). While this might help students who are trying to make the philosophical shift to qualitative research, it may bother purists. The book reads more as an encyclopedia or dictionary of terms than other books on qualitative research.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book for understanding the basics of case study methodology. It is an easy read and great guide to thinking about and planning case studies, both methodologically and practically. Though a great starter book, I don't think it was in-depth enough for my needs especially in relation to establishing causal inference and methods of analysis.

[Nik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A required reading for my PhD and a good investment towards my studies. It is a better read than Stakes' work on Case Studies; more succinct and clear. It comes with a complementary reading that provides examples of Case Studies conducted, but it is not necessary.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was very easy to read and explained case study research methodology very well. It gave a historical background to the methodology as well a great discussion points on what others have said both in favor and against the method.

[Amyzhaoding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear and well written. Useful reference for researchers who want to do serious case study research. Also echoes with my own belief that the most relevant research contributes to insights into real-world problems. Strongly recommend.