A case study is a research method that relies on a single or small number of cases to provide information on a given topic.
Case studies are used in many different fields, from business to psychology.
The benefits of case studies include the ability to explore unique circumstances, generate new hypotheses, and provide detailed data.
In this blog post, we’ll be looking at five of the top benefits of case studies.
1. Explore unique circumstances
The first benefit of case studies is that they allow researchers to study unique circumstances.
This is important because it allows them to gain insights into otherwise difficult-to-understand phenomena.
For example, case studies have been used to study everything from why people voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 US presidential election to why some countries are more successful than others at reducing poverty rates.
2. Generate a new hypothesis
The second benefit of case studies is that they can generate new hypotheses.
It allows researchers to test new ideas and develop new theories.
For instance, the case study on the 2016 US presidential election might generate hypotheses about the impact of race on voting behavior.
The case study on poverty reduction might generate hypotheses about the impact of economic policy on poverty rates.
3. Provide detailed data
The third benefit of case studies is that they provide detailed data.
Researchers examine various aspects of a phenomenon in great detail.
The case study on the 2016 US presidential election might examine voter data, campaign data, media coverage, and polling data.
And the case study on poverty reduction might examine economic data, government policy data, and data on social programs.
4. Used for replication purposes
The fourth benefit is that they can be used for replication purposes.
It permits researchers to test their hypotheses in different contexts and populations.
For example, a researcher who wants to test her hypothesis about the impact of race on voting behavior might use a case study from the 2008 US presidential election to see if her results hold up.
5. Used for policy purposes
Finally, the fifth benefit of case studies is that they can be used for policy purposes.
Policy-makers make informed decisions based on evidence rather than intuition or ideology.
Policy-makers who want to reduce poverty rates might use a case study that compares the effectiveness of different economic policies in reducing poverty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, case studies offer a number of advantages over other research methods.
If you’re considering using a case study in your research, keep these benefits in mind.