The case study is one of the kinds of research approach, and it is used all over the world to obtain accurate results concerning various projects. Apart from that, case studies are an effective way to find out all the details and features of the particular business, product, system, or service. However, there is a famous proverb that accurately describes the meaning of the case study – what you gain in depth you lose in breadth. In this manner, during the research, one may face some case study advantages and disadvantages. It should be noted that even though the case study may have some drawbacks, it also brings crucial information on how the implementation of something works, and that may serve as a benefit. Thus, one should be fully aware of the principles, the case study advantages and disadvantages in order to consider all details to conduct a thorough research.
As it was stated, case study gives an intensive description and analysis of a project, and it serves as a collection of necessary data that may come useful in the future. On the contrary, there are a number of researchers considering this type of research has too many disadvantages that may ruin the overall process and final results. Therefore, let us look at the arguments from the both sides of the case study and see whether they are still useful or it is now the outdated method of the research.
Advantages
- Captures detailed and in-depth study
- Challenges established theories
- Broadens horizons concerning the study
With the help of this method, the intensive study of the subject will be in easier access. The case study research provides thorough and detailed investigation of the unit like any other method can do that makes it more flexible and broad. As a result, the data collected during the case study is much richer than it can be obtained by other research methods.
Sometimes case study may open new sides of already established ideas. It shows that some theories are incorrect and challenges researches to explore, change them, and make those theories more accurate.
While carrying out a case study a person improves his or hers analytical thinking, increases knowledge about a particular unit, and obtains better insights into the subject of research. This method provides a person with the new hypotheses that may be useful for further studies and testing.
Disadvantages
- Unique and cannot be generalized
- Unreliable
- Consumes a lot of time and effort
Case studies are unique and focused on one unit; they cannot suit to all subjects. Therefore, because of the fact that the studies cannot be generalized to the entire project, they may only be valid and relate to single projects or in other words, to the clusters of that project.
Since case study is mainly based on the history, it may cause some mistakes and errors regarding the results of the analysis. The method always has the possibility of errors of memory as every person interprets the past events differently to another person. As a result, it may be one of the error problems.
The research method is successful in gathering the relevant and detailed data, and it requires a lot of time and effort. The process of data collection, the development of case study, and detailed analysis may take a long and intensive period of time. The case study method is considered to be one the most time and effort consuming methods among the others. Thus, it is not the best medium for short duration projects.