A case study is a powerful tool in research and education, offering deep insights into complex phenomena through the lens of a single subject or group. Case studies zoom in to the details of a specific situation, examining context, history, and behavior to reveal certain patterns and highlight practical applications of theories.
A case study in research can be used when:
Thus, case studies enable researchers and practitioners to analyze specific instances, identify trends, and obtain learnings that can inform broader decision-making and problem-solving. In this post, you will learn all about case studies, including how to conduct a case study, limitations and benefits of a case study, and case study methods.
Case study definition: A case study is an in-depth or intensive study of a person, group, or event. Case studies involve deep analyses of an individual or group to identify patterns and are used across fields such as psychology and medicine to draw broad conclusions. They are descriptive studies based on qualitative data such as observations, interviews, questionnaires, clinical notes.
Here are some historically significant case study examples:
The curious case of Phineas Gage: This is arguably the most cited case study in psychology, which sheds light on how different areas of the brain affect personality and cognition. While working as a construction foreman on a railroad, Phineas Gage was involved in an accident in which a rod impaled his brain. Gage survived the physical trauma, but his personality and his ability to learn new skills were altered. This case report was crucial to research on brain function, memory, and personality.
Anna O and the talking cure: Anna O (pseudonym) was a German woman who was one of the first patients to undergo psychoanalysis. Her case inspired many of the theories of Freud and other prominent psychologists of the time to mitigate the symptoms of depression through “talk therapy.” This case study is still cited as a reason psychologists believe that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be helpful to many patients.
The case study design may be chosen by a researcher in the following situations:
Need for deep understanding: When you require detailed insights about a specific situation, and you want to understand complex relationships and processes.
Resource constraints: When you have limited time and finances available for research and/or limited access to large sample sizes.
Research context: Certain real-world phenomena need to be studied in their natural context, especially when you cannot control variables.
Accordingly, the types of research questions best suited for a case study are exploratory (e.g., when investigating a new or poorly understood phenomenon, emerging conditions, adverse reactions to treatments, new methods of treatment) or involve unique situations (e.g., rare or exceptional cases, atypical behavior, breakthrough events). See Table 1 for developing a case study from a research question.
The case study design might be for a single case study, such as for unique cases or when studying a representative or typical case, or multiple case studies (a case series, comparative analysis, or to identify patterns across different contexts). Note that a case study is not recommended if you require statistical generalization or broad population-level insights.
By carefully considering the abovementioned factors, researchers can determine if a case study approach aligns with their research goals and available resources.
Case studies are structured very differently from research articles (see “How to write a case study in Research” below and the case study template in Figure 1). However, as a general guideline, note that case studies might range from 500 to 1,500 words. The word count would depend on factors such as the target journal’s specifications, case type, and study discipline. Case reports also have a limit on the number of references to be cited. Remember, you must always check the target journal for word and reference limits before submission.
Let’s delve into how to conduct a case study and write one. First, you need to understand how to create a case study.
The structure of the case report may vary—some follow the format of scientific papers, while others adopt a narrative style for a deeper exploration.
When describing and analyzing a case, be sure to include contextual details, link findings to existing literature and theory, and discuss broader implications. For medical case reports, follow the CARE guidelines (EQUATOR) to ensure completeness and transparency. Please also refer to the CARE Checklist of information to include when writing a case report. Finally, check the target journal requirements for word count and formatting guidelines. See Figure 1 for a case study template.
Figure 1. Case study template
Table 1. From research question to case study: Some fictional examples
| Research Question | Case Study |
| How does strength training benefit premenstrual syndrome? | Case study of a strength training regimen in mitigating premenstrual syndrome effects |
| How can teachers encourage parental involvement in the classroom? | Case study of a successful parent mentorship module at TAS International School |
| How does urban gardening improve local ecology? | Miyawaki forest balconies: A case study on improving lepidopteran ecology |
| Why did patient X demonstrate unusual symptoms? | Real-life Cyclops: Unique case presentation of cyclopia in a newborn |
Real case study examples (published):
On the topic of the case study, a quote by Ivy Mckenzie comes to mind: “The physician is concerned [unlike the naturalist]…with a single organism, the human subject, striving to preserve its identity in adverse circumstances.”
A physician’s meticulous documentation of an unusual or rare condition might not only help the patient but also revolutionize current understanding of the disorder and lead to a revision of treatment protocols. In fact, clinicians and psychologists are often encouraged to publish more case studies documenting the methods they use.
Let’s look at some more benefits of a case study:
Case studies provide critical information and galvanize further research; however, there are some caveats. The following are the limitations of a case study:
Key Takeaways
– Select appropriate case based on research problem
– Conduct literature review
– Collect thorough qualitative data
– Analyze case to identify key problems
– State key problem and thesis in introduction
– Describe specific case/event
– Provide solutions and implementation strategies
– Discuss strengths and limitations
– Link findings to existing literature
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