Case Study

A case study is the detailed and intensive study of a single example of something using whatever methods are seen as appropriate. The general objective is to develop as full an understanding of the case as possible. We may be interested in just one case, or we may have other cases in mind. Case studies are not considered representative and therefore it is impossible to generalise from one case study.

Case studies are used in monitoring and evaluation projects in order to give more detailed, richer information and examples from a specific project or sub-component of a programme.

• They could investigate the impact of a project from the point of view of an individual or a family over time.
• They could be used as illustrations of good practice or less than good practice.
• They could follow up on case studies previously carried out.
• Multiple case studies could be used for comparative purposes.

From an M&E perspective, case studies allow for an in-depth understanding of factors behind general or summarised data that may be collected through other means. Case studies are not viewed as representative and would generally be carried out alongside other data collection methods.

Usual characteristics of a case study include:
• A case is a ‘bounded system’ i.e. it has boundaries. The boundaries of the case need to be defined.
• There is an attempt to preserve the wholeness of the case.
• Multiple sources of data and multiple data collection methods are likely to be used.
• Case studies are predominantly qualitative, but often combine qualitative and quantitative methods.

Case studies can identify:
• A location e.g. a community, a country, an organization
• A donor-funded project
• People e.g. a family, an individual
• Incidents and events

Different types of cases be identified:

• A critical case: a case is chosen on the grounds that it will allow a better understanding of the circumstances in which a hypothesis may or may not happen.
• A unique case: A unique or extreme case.
• A revelatory case: a case which has previously been inaccessible to investigation.
• A single case study: A case study which the focus is within one case.
• Multiple case studies: (or collective case studies).
HOW TO DO Case Studies

1 Define the purpose of the case study.
2 Decide how you are going to select the cases.
3 Be clear on what the cases are, including the boundaries.
4 Decide how you will obtain the information and how it will be incorporated into overall study.
5 Develop data collection tools specific to the case study.
6 Show what data will be collected, from whom and how.
7 Show how the data will be analysed.

WHEN TO USE Case Studies

Case studies are usually integrated into reports in one of a number of ways:
• As an annex, where writing in the text can refer towards it.
• As a box within the text to illustrate a point.
• As a stand-alone chapters.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Think carefully about the case studies you chose and the information you are looking for
• Have an open mind so as to not predetermine results
• Think carefully whether you need case studies that reflect a variety of stakeholders / beneficiaries or a number of case studies within one stakeholder / beneficiary group