Types of Case Studies

Exploratory

Exploratory case studies can be considered a preliminary studies, observing the phenomenon in its raw form or in a pilot study setting where the results are not used in a follow up study.  The results are meant to open up the door for further examination of the phenomenon observed.  These types of case studies are broad in nature and help researchers in developing theory or guiding the development of a new study and not necessarily a case study.  Prior fieldwork and small scale data collection might be conducted before the research questions and hypotheses are proposed.  

Evaluative

Evaluative case studies analyze the extent programs, organizations, policies, etc. are accomplishing intended outcomes and to what extent using multiple sources of evidence including qualitative and quantitative data. The results are intended to the judge the effectiveness and/or continuation of an initiative of importance in a real world setting.

Explanatory

Explanatory case studies answer “how” or “why” questions in an effort to understand complex cause and effect of a phenomenon. Explanatory case studies link elements and actors over an extended period of time while also explaining rival theories.

Descriptive

Descriptive case studies are among the most prevalent types of case studies. They are interested in answering questions related to what is happening, or what has happened related to a particular phenomenon that is grounded in a real-world context. Descriptive case studies are not so much interested in causality as they are gaining understanding and meaning behind the phenomenon of interest.

Cross-case

Cross-case studies are studies which examine two or more cases based on literal or theoretical replication.  Literal replication looks to recreate the same results across cases while theoretical replication looks for different results based on predictable reasons. This analytical method enables the researcher to explore differences within and between cases.  The construction of cross-case studies can either be concurrently conducted cases by the researcher or using previous separate but related case studies.  Because comparisons will be drawn, it is imperative that the cases are chosen carefully so that the researcher can predict similar results across cases, or predict contrasting results based on a theory.  Cross-case analysis is a means to increase the validity of the study’s findings.

Embedded

Embedded case studies are a type of analysis that address a subunit(s) within a larger unit of analysis from which data are collected.  Sub-units are situated within a larger case and can be powerful when you consider that data can be analyzed within the subunits separately (within case analysis), between the different subunits (between case analysis), or across all of the subunits (cross-case analysis).  This type of study allows the ability of  rich analysis and serves to better illuminate the case.  The problem that novice researchers fall into is that they analyze at the individual sub-unit level and fail to return to the larger issue that they initially set out to address.  Embedded case studies can occur in either single or multiple cases and provide a more complex way to look at the overall phenomenon.