ABSTRACT
As discussed in the first chapter, case study research projects involve the notion of an initial research question which is refined by annotated bibliographies and subsequent literature reviews. This leads to the formation of a theoretical framework prior to data collection as well as to an analytical strategy for the forthcoming data analysis, taking into account the rival hypotheses, which is followed by the actual research design for the case study. The process also encompasses the criteria in choosing the units of analysis according to the paradigmatic stance of the study and the final research question. Because the type of data required depicts the two primary case study research designs, that is, embedded case studies relying on both quantitative and qualitative evidence, or holistic case studies that are based mainly or only on qualitative data, we must now focus on the evidence accumulation itself and how that is related to theory development. Hence, this chapter looks at the variations in data generation of these two paradigms from the perspective of either single-or multiple-case studies. In other words, we apply Yin’s “2 × 2 matrix” comprising single-case embedded studies, multiple-case embedded studies, single-case holistic studies, or multiple-case holistic studies, 1 to determine how to conduct a case study relevant to your research question.
