The Art Of Case Study Research

This book presents a disciplined, qualitative exploration of case study methods by drawing from naturalistic, holistic, ethnographic, phenomenological and biographic research methods.

Robert E. Stake uses and annotates an actual case study to answer such questions as: How is the case selected? How do you select the case which will maximize what can be learned? How can what is learned from one case be applied to another? How can what is learned from a case be interpreted? In addition, the book covers: the differences between quantitative and qualitative approaches; data-gathering including document review; coding, sorting and pattern analysis; the roles of the researcher; triangulation; and reporting.

Related to the content, this book failed to provide a comprehensive listing of research appropriate for case study methods - especially over other methods. Qualitative methods were adequately covered, but appropriate uses of available quantitative data often found within case studies were not addressed. The book covered triangulation principles but did not regonize other uses of data in case study research - in particluar the essential role of documentation of protocol to ensure replicability of methods by other researchers. The discussion about sources of data was incomplete and failed to illustrate the relative strengths and weaknesses of each and potential remedies to reduce weaknesses. The author only provided a few common modes of analysis without covering other legitimate means. Throughout the book, the author provided little reference to prior research done on the subject under discussion for a researcher to explore further nor was there any particluar recognition of the contribution of other theorists to the field.

Related to the style, this book used a lot of reference symbols throughout that were distracting to the reader without adding any particular benefit. All of the examples used were from the education field making it difficult for the reader to draw parallels to other fields and maintain interest. The book did not use adequate illustration or presentation of information in tables and formats usually successfully presented in simlar materials. The information was presented in a "lecture" and "exercise" teaching style that is to simple for a learned student or professional.

I gained no "new" knowledge from reading this book and it was a frustrating waste of my time, money and effort. Your mileage may vary!