ABSTRACT
Note: If you search for literature on case studies, be aware that there are two distinct yet somewhat related meanings for the term. In this chapter, I describe case studies as an instructional methodology, where a (usually) written description of a real-world practice situation is provided to students to analyze, discuss, and learn from. Case studies also represent a qualitative research method that typically involves a long-term, in-depth investigation of a single event, practice, or situation. Case studies include examining events, collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting the results. The purpose of case studies is to provide a rich description of some practice. While there is nothing to prevent research case studies from being used as classroom case studies, these kinds of case studies are seldom combined.
