Some clarification on the difference between case study and case study research: a note for MBA students (information from poe.com).
My question 1: "I am a part-time MBA student; I have drafted my dissertation proposal for my Research Methods lecturer to review. He said that case research method is not the same as case study. What I propose to do is to describe a case study from a Harvard Business Review article, then quoting a few comments from the Harvard Business Review article; and then make a few my own comments and recommendations (without my own theory-driven analysis nor explicit further arguments to justify my claims). In this case, if my case study discussion for my dissertation project is not a case study research, what can I call my research method in this case? Could you clarify for me? Tks."
The reply: "It's great that you're working on your dissertation proposal! Your lecturer's distinction between case research and case study is important.
In your situation, since you are discussing a specific case—drawing from an existing article and providing your analysis and recommendations without developing a new theoretical framework—you might consider calling your research method "case analysis" or "case examination."
Here are a few points to clarify:
Case Analysis: This term suggests that you are analyzing a specific case within a broader context, using existing literature (like the Harvard Business Review article) as your primary source.
Descriptive Case Study: While this term typically implies original research, you can use it to indicate that you are describing and discussing an existing case without conducting primary research.
Literature Review with Case Context: If your focus is heavily on synthesizing existing literature and then applying it to a specific case, this might be an appropriate description.
Reflective Case Study: This term could indicate that you are reflecting on the case presented in the article and providing your own insights or recommendations.
In summary, "case analysis" or "descriptive case study" would be suitable terms to describe your approach. Make sure to clarify your methodology in your proposal to avoid confusion regarding the distinction between case study research and your analytical approach."
My question 2: "My lecturer, when talking about case study research, mentioned a writer called Robert Yin. What is Robert Yin's idea of what a case study research is? I would like to find out how it is different from the "case examination" I intend to do for my dissertation project. Tks."
The reply: "Robert Yin is a prominent figure in the field of case study research. His work, particularly in the book "Case Study Research: Design and Methods," outlines a systematic approach to conducting case studies. Here are some key aspects of Yin's ideas:
Key Features of Yin's Case Study Research
Purpose: Yin emphasizes that case study research is used to explore complex phenomena within their real-life context. It aims to provide an in-depth understanding of a specific case.
Design: Yin outlines a rigorous design process that includes defining the research questions, selecting cases, and determining data collection methods. He advocates for multiple sources of evidence, such as interviews, observations, and document analysis.
Types of Case Studies: He differentiates between exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory case studies, each serving different research purposes.
Data Analysis: Yin stresses the importance of analyzing data systematically and triangulating findings from different sources to enhance credibility.
Generalizability: He discusses how findings from case studies can contribute to theories or practices, even though they may not be generalizable in the statistical sense.
Differences from "Case Examination"
Research Framework: Yin's case study research involves a structured framework and methodology, with a focus on collecting and analyzing data to answer specific research questions. In contrast, your "case examination" appears to be more descriptive and reflective, relying on existing literature rather than generating new data.
Depth of Analysis: Yin's approach typically involves deeper analysis and a more comprehensive exploration of the case, often incorporating theoretical frameworks. Your examination may not delve as deeply into theory-driven analysis.
Evidence Collection: Yin emphasizes the use of multiple sources of evidence to build a robust case study. Your approach seems to rely on a single source (the Harvard Business Review article) to describe the case.
Objective: The objective of Yin's case study research is often to contribute to theoretical understanding or to draw broader implications. Your focus appears to be on providing insights and recommendations based on an existing case without the intent to develop new theories.
Conclusion
In summary, Robert Yin's case study research is a structured, rigorous approach aimed at exploring complex phenomena through detailed analysis and multiple sources of evidence. Your "case examination" is more descriptive and reflective, focusing on analyzing an existing case without the same level of methodological rigor or theoretical contribution. This distinction is crucial in framing your dissertation project."
My question 3: "In this case, where should I present my "case examination" in my final dissertation report: in the chapter of Literature Review (chapter 2), Research Method Design and Evaluation (chapter 3), Presentation of research methods findings (chapter 4) , Discussion of research methods findings (chapter 5), or Conclusion and recommendations? (chapter 6)?"
The reply: "The placement of your "case examination" in your final dissertation report depends on how you want to frame your analysis and its role in your overall research. Here are some suggestions for where to include it:
Recommended Placement
Chapter 2: Literature Review
If your case examination serves to contextualize existing theories or concepts discussed in the literature, presenting it here can help link your study to previous research.
You can summarize the case from the Harvard Business Review article and highlight its relevance to the literature.
Chapter 3: Research Method Design and Evaluation
If you discuss your methodology and approach to the case examination, including a brief overview of the case here can provide clarity on how it fits into your research design.
Chapter 4: Presentation of Research Methods Findings
This chapter is typically where you present your findings. If your case examination is a key part of your findings, this would be a suitable place to elaborate on it, discussing the case in detail.
Chapter 5: Discussion of Research Methods Findings
Here, you can reflect on the implications of your case examination, drawing connections to your research questions and the literature. This is where you can analyze and interpret your findings based on the case.
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Recommendations
If your case examination leads to specific insights or recommendations, summarizing its implications in the conclusion chapter can provide a strong closing to your dissertation.
Conclusion
Considering the nature of your "case examination," Chapters 4 and 5 might be the most appropriate places to present and discuss your findings. You could present the case in Chapter 4 and then analyze its implications in Chapter 5. However, if it serves to support or contextualize your literature review, you might also consider including it in Chapter 2. Make sure to clearly define its role in your research to guide your readers effectively."
My question 4: "My last question: if I want to study my previous company who went through an unsuccessful corporate merger three years ago by solely conducting a semi-structured interview with three ex-colleagues of this previous company, is it a case study research? If not what name should be used to describe this research exercise?"
The reply: "Your proposed study of the unsuccessful corporate merger using semi-structured interviews with three ex-colleagues can be described as a case study in a broader sense, but it may not fit the rigorous definition of case study research as outlined by Robert Yin. Here's a breakdown:
Characteristics of Your Study
Focus on a Specific Case: You are examining a particular event (the merger) within a specific organization (your previous company), which aligns with the concept of a case study.
Data Collection Method: Using semi-structured interviews allows for qualitative data collection, which is common in case study research.
However, Here are Some Considerations:
Limited Scope: Your study is based on a small sample size (three ex-colleagues), which may limit the generalizability and depth of insights. Traditional case study research often involves more extensive data collection.
Lack of Multiple Sources: Case study research typically involves triangulation from various sources (e.g., documents, interviews, observations). Relying solely on interviews may not provide a comprehensive view.
Alternative Naming
Given these factors, you might describe your research exercise as:
Qualitative Case Examination: This term reflects the qualitative nature of your study while acknowledging that it's not a full-fledged case study research in the traditional sense.
Exploratory Case Study: If your goal is to explore and understand the experiences of your ex-colleagues regarding the merger, this term could also fit.
Narrative Inquiry: If you focus on the stories and experiences of the interviewees, this term might be appropriate.
Conclusion
While your study examines a specific case, it may be more accurate to frame it as a qualitative case examination or exploratory case study due to the limited scope and reliance on a single method of data collection. This approach will help you convey the nature of your research more clearly."
Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.
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