Case study (or simply marry) is scientific research strategy which analyzes a real phenomenon considering the context in which it is inserted and the variables that influence it. It is an intensive and systematic study of an institution, community or individual that allows the examination of complex phenomena.
Also called a case study, this research strategy is mainly used in the areas of humanities and health. case studies are qualitative research used for academic purposes and can be described in the form of articles, monographs, master's theses and doctoral theses.
The purpose of a case study is produce knowledge about a phenomenon. This knowledge can be used as a reference for understanding similar situations, but it is always necessary to consider the particularities of each case. It is common for the results obtained in case studies to be crossed with theories and data obtained by other methods, which gives support and gives credibility to the academic work.
Case study examples
To understand in practice what a case study is, see the fictitious examples below:
Case Studies in Academic Research
1. truancy
Consider the case of a municipal school that has high dropout rates, that is, a high number of students are dropping out of school.
A group of researchers becomes aware of this situation and decides to carry out a case study in this school to understand the reasons that lead students to stop attending classes.
To carry out the study, researchers conduct interviews with parents, teachers and the students themselves. In addition to interviews, they use other academic research that also addresses the topic of truancy.
After collecting data, it appears that a company in the region carried out a mass layoff and many parents were left without a job. To help support the family, several students left school to work and, as a result, dropout rates rose.
From this case study, it was possible to verify the reasons why the students had abandoned their studies. With this information in hand, the city, school and community can think of solutions to the problem.
2. Traffic-accidents
Consider a small town located next to a road. Traffic accident rates in the city were very low, but they happen more frequently.
Students at a university in the city decide to investigate the reasons for the increase in the number of accidents and start collecting information to make a case study.
They seek information from the agencies responsible for traffic to map where the accidents were happening and which vehicles were involved.
They verify with the data survey that a road close to the city is closed and many vehicles are making the detour within that city.
As the municipality has precarious signage, drivers entering the city are confused with the intersections and preferred traffic, which causes accidents.
Based on this case study, the city can minimize these accidents, investing in signs, floor painting and installation of traffic lights.
Business case study
Consider the example of a company that sells candy bars. This company had a large market share, but loses in sales when other competitors emerge.
Faced with this problem, the company's marketing team meets to think of strategies to increase sales. One of the employees suggests that the company can differentiate itself by targeting chocolates for children and the idea is accepted by the team.
The company redesigns the animal-themed chocolate packaging and inserts collectible animal stickers inside the packaging. The company's new proposal becomes a success and the company's sales grow again.
This is an example of an experience that could be used as a case study or a marry Of success. In courses focused on administration and business, it is common to use these case studies for discussions and practical exercises.
See too The Types of Search.
How to make a case study?
The way to prepare a case study varies according to the object of study. The case study starts from a problem situation that one seeks to understand and for this the researcher must collect information about the context and the variables.
The methods and tools for data collection and analysis will be different in each case and should be chosen according to the research objectives and methodological possibilities.
Data collection can be done by bibliographic, documentary, field research, observation, interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, or any other method relevant to the analyze.
With the information in hand, the researcher performs the analysis and, based on them, draws conclusions and solutions to the problem.
Basically, a case study can be organized into the following phases:
- Identifying a research problem
- Data collection
- Context analysis (variables)
- Solutions/Conclusions about the Problem
What is one marry in the business world
Case studies are also used in the business world, where they are commonly referred to as cases or cases Of success. Those cases are reports of successful practices adopted by companies that serve as inspiration and source of knowledge so that professionals know how other companies have overcome obstacles and been successful in their experiences.
They exist cases of success in the most varied areas, such as marketing, finance, sales and human resources. They also serve as a dissemination strategy for the company itself.
See too:
- What to Write in the Methodology
- Qualitative research
- Exploratory research
- Document Research
- Bibliographic research
- Field research
- Descriptive Search
