A descriptive case study is a research method that involves a detailed and in-depth examination of a specific subject, such as a person, group, or organization. The goal of a descriptive case study is to provide a comprehensive and thorough description of the subject, as well as to understand its context and significance.
There are several steps involved in conducting a descriptive case study. The first step is to define the research question or problem. This is the central focus of the study and will guide the entire research process.
Next, the researcher must decide on the appropriate case study design. This may involve selecting a single case or multiple cases, depending on the research question and the goals of the study.
Once the case study design has been chosen, the researcher must identify the appropriate subjects for the study. This may involve recruiting participants or selecting pre-existing cases to study. It is important to carefully consider the representativeness and diversity of the subjects in order to ensure the validity and reliability of the study.
After the subjects have been identified, the researcher must gather data about the subjects. This may involve conducting interviews, observations, or collecting documents or other materials. It is important to use multiple sources of data in order to triangulate the findings and increase the validity of the study.
Once the data has been collected, it must be analyzed in order to answer the research question and draw conclusions about the subject. This may involve coding the data, identifying patterns and trends, and making connections between the data and the research question.
Finally, the researcher must report the findings of the study in a clear and concise manner. This may involve writing a report, presenting the findings at a conference, or publishing the findings in a journal.
In summary, a descriptive case study is a research method that involves a thorough and detailed examination of a specific subject in order to understand its context and significance. It involves defining the research question, selecting the appropriate case study design and subjects, gathering and analyzing data, and reporting the findings.