Case studies

· Detailed examination of a single example of something. This could be locality, institution, community or social group.

Advantages:

· To develop a comprehensive understanding of something by studying it in-depth.

· To develop a theoretical approach by falsifying a theory.

· To develop typologies.

· To generate new hypotheses.

Disadvantage: it cannot be generalize as Bryman suggested (1988) that this can be overcome through multiple case studies. However, it can be difficult to compare the findings of case studies carried out by different researchers.