Case Study

 Meaning
 Characteristics

 Evolution & Scope

 Assumption

 Major Phases Involved

 Advantages

 Limitation.

Conclusion
 Meaning
Popular form of qualitative analysis
Involve careful & complete observation of
social unit.
In-depth study
Intensive investigation of the particular unit
under consideration
 Characteristics
 Study of one or more social unit/situation
 Selected unit is studied intensively

 Complete study of social unit covering all

facets
 Qualitative and quantitative approach

 Effort to know mutual inter-relationship of

causal effect.
 Behavior pattern of unit is studied directly.
 Evolution & Scope
 Frederic Le Play used it as hand maiden to
statistic in his studies of family budget.
 Herbert Spencer, first to use this in his
comparative study of different culture.
 Management experts use it for getting clues
to several management problems
 Assumption
The assumption of uniformity in basic
human nature
The assumption of studying the natural
history of the unit concern
The assumption of comprehensive study of
the unit concern.
 Major Phases Involved
Recognition & determination of the status
of the phenomenon to be investigated
Collection of data,examination and history
of the phenomenon
Diagnosis & Identification of causal factor
Application of remedial measures.
Follow up programmed to determine
effectiveness of the treatment applied
 Advantages
Enable us to understand fully the
behavioral pattern of social units
Enable researchers to trace natural history
of units.& its relationships.
Helps in formulating relevant hypothesis.
Facilitate intensive study of units which id
not possible by any other methods.
Helps in preparation of accurate
questionnaires/schedules.
 Advantage …cont
 Use of different research methods is
possible
 Known as “mode of organizing data”
 Suggest meaures for improvement in the
context of the present environment
 Enhanses the experience of the researcher
 This method makes possible the study of
social study.
 Indespensible for therapeutic and
admin.purpose.
 Limitations
§ Information gathered are often un
comparable.
§ Do not provide knowledge of the
“impersonal,universal,non-ethical,non-
practical.”
§ Danger of false generalization is always
there.
§ Time consuming & Expensive.
§ Often vitiated..
§ At-time Unrealistic & impractical
 Limitations….cont
§ Can be useful only to limited sphere.
§ Problems in research design & in Collection
of Data. & Sample…
 Conclusion
 It is undertaken in several discipline.
 Most of the limitation can be removed by
proper concern by researchers.
 If assembled In special manner, data are
amenable to quantification & statistical
treatment.