What is the difference between single case study and multiple case study?

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A difference between a single case study and a multiple case study is that in the last mentioned, the researcher are studying multiple cases to understand the differences and the similarities between the cases (Baxter & Jack, 2008; Stake, 1995).



Subsequently, one may also ask, what is a single case study?

The single case study is the most basic form of case-oriented research, but researchers may also conduct a series of case studies, each study building on the previous, or conduct simultaneous studies of several instances of the same phenomenon (as in comparative research).

One may also ask, when would you use a single case study? When rigorously designed, single-case studies can be particularly useful experimental designs in a variety of situations, even when researcher resources are limited, studied conditions have low incidences, or when examining effects of novel or expensive interventions.

Secondly, what is a multiple case study?

Multiple-case design, or collective case design, refers to case study research in which several instrumental bounded cases are selected to develop a more in-depth understanding of the phenomena than a single case can provide.

Can a case study include more than one person?

Case studies are in-depth investigations of a single person, group, event or community. Typically, data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods (e.g. observations & interviews). In psychology, case studies are often confined to the study of a particular individual.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What is a disadvantage of case study?

The first is that they are subject to bias on so many levels that a good argument could be made that all case studies are useless when used as evidence. Another of the most commonly cited disadvantages of case study work is that the data collected cannot stand on its own if one wishes to make generalizations.

What are the types of case study?

There are three primary types of case studies: key cases, outlier cases, and local knowledge cases. Key cases are those which are chosen because the researcher has ?a particular interest in it or the circumstances surrounding it.

What is the purpose of a qualitative case study?

Qualitative case study methodology provides tools for researchers to study complex phenomena within their contexts. When the approach is applied correctly, it becomes a valuable method for health science research to develop theory, evaluate programs, and develop interventions.

What is the unit of analysis in a case study?

In each situation, an individual person is the case being studied, and the individual is the primary unit of analysis. Information about the relevant individual would be collected, and several such individuals or “cases” might be included in a multiple-case study.

How many participants are needed for a case study?


Consequently, the “sweet spot” sample size for many qualitative research studies is 15 to 20 homogeneous interview participants. Now, determining the number of cases to include in a multiple case study project is another issue and I will put forth a post on that in the next few weeks.

How do you write a case study example?

Writing a Case Study Analysis
  1. Read and Examine the Case Thoroughly. Take notes, highlight relevant facts, underline key problems.
  2. Focus Your Analysis. Identify two to five key problems.
  3. Uncover Possible Solutions/Changes Needed. Review course readings, discussions, outside research, your experience.
  4. Select the Best Solution.

What is a case study essay?

A case study includes the background information on relevant topic or subject, analysis of a specific case under the study process. It may display the problems or some effective strategies or recommendation as the solution. Case study writing can focus on a certain program, person, project or business.

What is case study research example?

Case studies are a popular research method in business area. Case studies aim to analyze specific issues within the boundaries of a specific environment, situation or organization. Example: “Impact of increasing levels of multiculturalism on marketing practices: A case study of McDonald's Indonesia.”

What is an exploratory case study?

The exploratory case study investigates distinct phenomena characterized by a lack of detailed preliminary research, especially formulated hypotheses that can be tested, and/or by a specific research environment that limits the choice of methodology.

What is case study according to Creswell?


In case study research, defined as the “the study of a case within a real-life contemporary context or setting” Creswell takes the perspective that such research “is a methodology: a type of design in qualitative research that may be an object of study, as well as a product of inquiry.” Further, case studies have

What is case design?

Basically, a case study is an in depth study of a particular situation rather than a sweeping statistical survey. The case study research design is also useful for testing whether scientific theories and models actually work in the real world.

What is an instrumental case study?

An instrumental case study is the study of a case (e.g., person, specific group, occupation, department, organization) to provide insight into a particular issue, redraw generalizations, or build theory. In instrumental case research the case facilitates understanding of something else.

Which of the following are types of case studies?

These types of case study include the following:
  • Illustrative Case Studies. These are primarily descriptive studies.
  • Exploratory (or pilot) Case Studies. These are condensed case studies performed before implementing a large scale investigation.
  • Cumulative Case Studies.
  • Critical Instance Case Studies.

What is cross case analysis?

Cross-case analysis is a method that involves the in-depth exploration of similarities and differences across cases with a view to supporting empirical generalisability and theoretical predictions. In NVivo we conduct the first stage of cross-case analysis — within-case analysis — using a conceptually clustered matrix.

Are Case Studies a methodology?


Case study methodology maintains deep connections to core values and intentions and is “particularistic, descriptive and heuristic” (Merriam, 2009, p. 46). As a study design, case study is defined by interest in individual cases rather than the methods of inquiry used.

What is an intrinsic case study?

An intrinsic case study is the study of a case (e.g., person, specific group, occupation, department, organization) where the case itself is of primary interest in the exploration. The key in both the intrinsic and instrumental case study is the opportunity to learn.

What is a case study PDF?

Case studies involve the documented history and comprehensive analysis of a situation concerning subjects such as industries, organizations, and markets. Rich case studies employ both qualitative and quantitative data. The strong point of case studies is the depth of analysis that they offer.