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The Art of Case Study Research
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The Art of Case Study Research



April 1995 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"The book is a concise and very readable guide to case study research. It includes a good introduction to the theoretical principles underlying qualitative research, and discusses a wide range of qualitative approaches, namely naturalistic, holistic, ethnographic, phenomenological and biographic research methods. . . . Stake offers some useful practical advice, for example, on how to conduct in-depth interviews, how to analyze qualitative data and on report writing. . . . Stake writes in a rather unusual and very personal style but this makes the text very readable. The author's obvious passion for research makes the text even more enjoyable and stimulating. . . . the book. . . seems particularly appropriate for those undertaking this type of research in the fields of education and social policy."

--Ivana La Valle in Social Research Association News

"It is gratifying to encounter a text so cogently advocating the case study method (aka: naturalistic fieldwork) as a legitimate knowledge-enhancing endeavor."

--Sala Horowitz in Academic Library Book Review

"I have just finished a qualitative case study based almost entirely on interviews with engineering students. The two sources on which I depended most heavily were Robert E. Stake's The Art of Case Study Research and Harry F. Wolcott's Writing Up Qualitative Research. I have heard others sing the praises of different works and I have referred to them, but favor the two mentioned."

--Terry C. Hall, Ed.D., Independent Scholar

"This volume consolidates and elaborates ideas Robert E. Stake articulated in earlier journal articles and chapters in a form that is useful and readily accessible to both practitioners and students of educational research methods. His unusually personal presentation style and innovative format for sharing practical tips through authentic examples add to the main treasure of his new book: an incomparable sophistication about research epistemology and practice. . . . His vast experience in the field and in the classroom and his intimate knowledge of the literature intersect, providing the reader with an unusually comprehensive portrayal of a specialized field. . . . The Art of Case Study Research is a significant contribution to research methodology literature and will undoubtedly assume quick popularity as a text."

--Linda Mabry, Indiana University, Bloomington

"A concise and readable primer for doing case study research, the fruit of many years of experience and wisdom. Robert E. Stake's book is also valuable as a genuine attempt to integrate, rather than pick arguments with, the best there is of contending approaches to qualitative inquiry."

--A. Michael Huberman, Harvard University and The Network, Inc.

"The Art of Case Study Research is most useful to novices in qualitative inquiry. I could see using it in combination with other texts or readings in an introductory course to qualitative research methods or in a research methods survey course. Because of its readable style and wellspring of examples and helpful suggestions, both graduate and undergraduate students will find the book useful. Researchers seeking to more fully understand the case study approach as perceived by one of the leaders in case study work will also pick up this book. Researchers and policymakers in social service agencies may also be interested because case studies are increasingly part of evaluation strategies."

--Corrine Glesne, University of Vermont

Unique in his approach and style, Robert E. Stake draws from naturalistic, holistic, ethnographic, phenomenological, and biographic methods to present a disciplined, qualitative exploration of case study methods. In his exploration, Stake uses and annotates an actual case, at Harper School, to demonstrate to readers how to resolve some of the major issues of case study research; for example, how to select the case (or cases) that will maximize learning, how to generalize what is learned from one case to another, and how to interpret what is learned from a case. Uniquely, this book legitimizes direct interpretation as a case research method. It covers such topics as the differences between quantitative and qualitative approaches to case study; data gathering, including document review; coding, sorting, and pattern analysis; the roles of the researcher, triangulation; and reporting a case study. Also provided are end-of-chapter "workshops" that help students focus on new concepts.

Written with the inspired and thought-provoking style of a master storyteller, The Art of Case Study Research helps readers chart their way through the labyrinth of case study research.


 
Introduction
An Intensive Study of Case Study Research Methods

 
 
The Unique Case
 
Research Questions
 
The Nature of Qualitative Research
 
Data Gathering
 
Analysis and Interpretation
 
Case Researcher Roles
 
Triangulation
 
Writing the Report
 
Reflections
 
Harper School

This is a very useful resource for students who are evaluating case study research, or who are contemplating this as a methodology for their own research.

Mrs Kathy Humberstone
College of Health & Social Care, University of Derby (Chesterfield)
February 22, 2021

I have used a previous edition extensively for my own research. Yin is an essential for all case study researchers. I am delighted to have the new edition. It is a classic.

Dr Jill Bogie
Business, Gordon Institute of Business Science
February 18, 2020

An excellent text for educator/student research methods using case study as an approach. Written in a way that makes interpretation, understanding and application easier.

Mrs Sharon Colilles
Carnegie Faculty of Sports & Education, Leeds Beckett University
September 23, 2017

This is an essential book for research using a case study approach.

Mrs Karen Chandler
Fac of Health & Social Care Sciences, Kingston University
December 13, 2016

Stake provides a useful step by step guide to case study methods used in qualitative inquiry. The use of workshop scenarios helps cement its application in practice.

Ms Jacqueline Harley
Dept of Health & Social Care, Chester University
August 6, 2016

A concise book that is so elaborate most especially for early career researchers using case study as an approach. The writing style is simple with detail examples; also the use of foot notes in the book is an “icing on the cake”.

Mr Dalhat Sani Khalid
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Nottingham University
March 16, 2016

It did not suit the needs of the actual students. This does not mean that the book would be not good - in contrary.

Ms Sandra Schlick
Education , Fernfachhochschule Schweiz
February 9, 2016

Classic book to go alongside Yin for a different philosophical perspective. Will advise students doing case study to read this.

Mrs Julie donald
WBDL, Universityof Lincoln
January 5, 2016

Great book, essential reading for all research methods modules

Dr Mathew Dowling
Faculty sport, University of St Mark & St John
June 30, 2015

This is a classic text and clearly accessible to novice and more mature researchers interested in Case Study Research. Each chapter is well defined and signposts the next chapter.

Mrs Lyz Howard
Department of Health, Health and Social Care Teaching Team
April 9, 2014

Sage College Publishing

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