ABSTRACT
This chapter begins a detailed discussion of the qualitative approach by examining what is probably the most popular and well-known qualitative strategy: the case study method. Case studies have the common feature that they all involve intensive study of one instance of some object of study, such as: an individual, event, activity, program, organization, or phenomenon. Digging deep means that case study researchers can consider wide range of types of data, including documents of various kinds, interviews, and direct observation of a situation, as well as numerical data. Using different kinds of data presents both an opportunity and challenge to case study researchers. Case studies can be exploratory, descriptive, or explanatory. The researcher Deborah Guber recently undertook an explanatory case study in order to better understand reasons for success or failure of local popular referendums on environmental issues. The chapter begins the discussion of data collection by placing it within larger context of how a case study is done.
