ABSTRACT
As Yin (1994) has pointed out, the selection of a methodological approach for any given research project is dependent, firstly upon the nature of the research question, that is, upon whether the study is descriptive, exploratory or explanatory in character, secondly, upon the degree of control the researcher has over the behaviour of actors, and thirdly, upon whether historical or contemporary events constitute the focus of the research. A research project which seeks to examine and account for the development of patterns of industrial relations in the coal industry following privatisation, clearly has both exploratory and explanatory elements. It is also obviously focused on contemporary events over which the researcher has no control. In such circumstances, case study methodology has a number of specific features which make it a particularly appropriate approach for the prosecution of such a study.
