Qualitative Case Study Methodology 

The qualitative case study methodology allows scholars to investigate complex phenomena in a particular context in-depth. With research academics in mind, this methodology provides a systematic step-by-step guide to conducting a case study in the professional field. While working on their final dissertation, research students in the said field encounter challenges in terms of clarity, selection, and operationalization of qualitative case studies. These problems frequently cause confusion, waste of precious time, and poor decisions that impact the study's general outcome.

Background

A qualitative case study is a research methodology that helps investigate a phenomenon within a specific context using various data sources, and it does so using a variety of lenses to disclose multiple facets of the phenomenon. In a case study, a real-time occurrence is investigated within its naturally happening context, with the understanding that context makes a difference.

The checklist with four phases to conduct a case study is given below:

Foundation phase

Prefield phase

Field phase

Reporting phase

A standard and valuable classification divides qualitative techniques into five categories: ethnography, story, phenomenological, grounded theory, and case study. While the five approaches use comparable data-gathering methods (observation, interviews, and text review), the goal of the research distinguishes them—as various kinds of usability tests do. And as with classifying various usability studies, the distinctions between the techniques can be hazy. Here are more details on the five qualitative methods.

1. Ethnography

Ethnographic research is probably the most known and applicable form of qualitative technique to UX professionals. In ethnography, you immerse yourself in the surroundings of the target subjects to comprehend the objectives, cultures, challenges, motivations, and themes that arise.

2. Narrative

The narrative method creates a sequence of events, typically from just one or two people, to create a cohesive tale. You perform in-depth interviews, study documents, and search for themes; in other words, how does an individual narrative reflect the more significant life factors that shaped it?

3. Phenomenological

The appropriately named phenomenological study is a suitable qualitative technique for describing an occurrence, action, or phenomenon. In a phenomenological study, you use various methods to comprehend the significance participants put on whatever is being studied, such as holding interviews, perusing documents, viewing videos, or visiting locations and events. To gain insight into the participants' motivations, you depend on their own views.

4. Grounded Theory

Phenomenological research attempts to characterize the essence of an action or event, whereas grounded theory attempts to provide an explanation or approach for the occurrences. To construct a hypothesis based on the evidence, you mainly use interviews and existing publications. To find themes and construct the theory, you use a succession of open and axial coding techniques.

5. Case Study

Even primarily quantitative scholars can appreciate the value of the case study in describing an organization, institution, business, or event, as made renowned by Harvard Business School. A case study requires a thorough grasp of numerous types of data sources. Case studies can be informative, experimental, or event-based.

Conclusion

This research methodology was developed to provide a case study guide to research students of business and management fields in particular. The authors relate their insights from conducting case studies. The problems and difficulties that the authors encountered are addressed in the form of practical solutions. A comprehensive checklist has been provided by giving concrete examples and experience-based suggestions. Each step of the inventory contains specific problems that must be addressed. Finally, Pubrica offers a thorough understanding of the problems related to each part of the checklist, which is required to complete a case study research successfully.