Encyclopedia of Case Study Research
- Albert J. Mills - St Mary's University, Halifax, Canada
- Gabrielle Durepos - Mount Saint Vincent University, Canada
- Elden Wiebe - King's University College, Edmonton, Alberta
Case study research has a long history within the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, dating back to the early 1920's. At first it was a useful way for researchers to make valid inferences from events outside the laboratory in ways consistent with the rigorous practices of investigation inside the lab. Over time, case study approaches garnered interest in multiple disciplines as scholars studied phenomena in context. Despite widespread use, case study research has received little attention among the literature on research strategies.
The Encyclopedia of Case Study Research provides a compendium on the important methodological issues in conducting case study research and explores both the strengths and weaknesses of different paradigmatic approaches. These two volumes focus on the distinctive characteristics of case study research and its place within and alongside other research methodologies.
Key Features
- Presents a definition of case study research that can be used in different fields of study
- Describes case study as a research strategy rather than as a single tool for decision making and inquiry
- Guides rather than dictates, readers' understanding and applications of case study research
- Includes a critical summary in each entry, which raises additional matters for reflection
- Makes case study relevant to researchers at various stages of their careers, across philosophic divides, and throughout diverse disciplines
Key Themes
- Academic Disciplines
- Case Study Research Design
- Conceptual Issues
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Methodological Approaches
- Theoretical Traditions
- Theory Development and Contributions
From Case Study Research
- Types of Case Study Research
"The first encyclopedia to focus solely on case study research, this two-volume set contains 357 entries that cross disciplines and methodological traditions, from positivist to postpositivist. Each signed entry goes beyond a simple conceptual overview and discussion of the topic to provide analysis of how the concept can be applied, exemplifying application in specific case studies....Overall, this encyclopedia provides a rich and clearly written resource for research students, case study practitioners, and readers of case studies at many levels. Summing Up: Recommended. ** Upper-level undergraduates through faculty/ researchers."
