Doing Case Study?

WHAT IS A CASE STUDY?

Phrase “Case Study” contains two words: “Case” and “Study”.  What is the “Case” and what is “Study” and what is the case to be studied?  What is the difference between “a Case Study” and an ordinary assignment?

One of the perspectives as regards to a branch of numerous case studies, Donnelly J.H., Gibson J.L. & Ivancevich J.N. state,1

“This type of research design attempts to examine numerous characteristics of a person or group over an extended period of time.  Since the results achieved by a case study are usually based on a sample of one, the user cannot be certain as to their generality. Most cases studies raise questions for future research”.

For our intent and purposes, a Case Study is an attempt to examine a specific case (occasion, event, incident, person, or any specific subject-matter) over a specific period of time.  It based on a specific sample.

PURPOSE OR OBJECTIVE OF DOING CASE STUDY

For students, the purpose or objective of doing Case Study is to allow students with real expertise and understanding, as well as judgment to excel.

Case Study (or sometimes called “Case Analysis”) requires the students to take risks, make judgements in uncertain situations, and to propose and select from multiple possible options, none of which may be “right” or “wrong”.2

Case Study also a case as is true in real-world, on-the-job settings.3  For example, in strategic management in business, cases are typically records of actual business situations, rather than problems that are preformulated for students to solve.  The organisations, its history, and current situation are typically described, and it is left to the student to analyse what course of action the organisation should pursue.  The students are put in the position of managers who must develop alternatives and propose specific actions for the firm.4

One example in real-world, as case study comparison of MAUT (multi attribute theory) with the AHP (analytic hierarchy process) use to evaluate and select the next generation of rough-terrain cargo handlers.5

1   Donnelly, J.H., Gibson, J.L. & Ivoncevich J.N., 1984, Fundamentals of Management, 5^th Edition, Texas: Business Publication Inc., P. G3; Definition probably more suitable in case studies relating to personnel, management style, etc.

2   Digman, L.A., 1990, Strategic Management-Concepts, Decision, Cases, 2^nd Edition, Boston: Richard D. Irwin Inc., p.428.

3   Ibid

4   Ibid

5   Shtub, A., Band J.F. & Globeson, S., 1994, Project Management, Engineering, Technology and Implementation, Eaglewood:  Prentice-Hill, pp. 192-208.

The above is the extracts of an article, Abdul Aziz Hussin (2000) Doing Case Study? Journal of Housing, Building & Planning (7): 1-5.

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