Case studies: A methodological lifeline to the world

Abstract

This special issue is designed to present and explore the range of forms case studies can take and the functions they serve in research related to possibility studies. Case studies examine specific instances of a phenomena in order to understand the nuances and systemic complexity of how and why the phenomenon can unfold. The cases often provide ecological validity by linking the concerns of other research to real-world examples. It would be incorrect, however, to view case-studies as opposed to experimental methods and quantitative findings. This issue features two cases using experimental methods and one case based on quantitative analysis. Instead of assuming an incorrect dichotomy, the field needs to recognize fully the benefits of interdependent methodologies. Even case studies that present purely qualitative investigations need the grounding and focused findings that come from experiments and the large data sets for triangulation. At the same time case research provides the context for experiments, surveys, and historiometric analyses by addressing issues of ecological validity and orienting conclusions concerning those methods’ findings.