What characterizes the case study method in research?

The case study method is characterized by its in-depth examination of a specific instance, event, or entity within its real-life context. This approach allows researchers to collect detailed and rich qualitative data, which can lead to a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved. By focusing on a particular case, researchers can explore the nuances, factors, and interactions that may not be evident through broader quantitative methods. This richness of detail often leads to insights that are contextual, helping to explain why something occurs, rather than just documenting what happens.

Other methods, such as broad surveys or experimental designs, do not delve deeply into individual cases with the same level of examination and contextual understanding. Surveys, for example, tend to gather data from multiple cases without exploring the particularities of each one, while experiments primarily focus on manipulating variables in a controlled setting rather than providing a holistic view of a single instance. Ultimately, the case study method is invaluable for generating hypotheses, understanding complex phenomena, and providing a nuanced narrative around a specific topic.