Pros And Cons Of Case Study

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In finding answers to these questions, the researcher will use a combination of case study and grounded theory methodologies. On one hand, case study is a research methodology distinct from other social science methods such as experiments, quasi-experiments, surveys, histories and statistical analysis of archival data. The distinctive feature of case study method is best described by Yin (2009) when he defines it as “an empirical inquiry about a contemporary phenomenon, set within its real-world context –especially when the boundaries between the phenomenon and context are not clearly evident.” Creswell (2002, p. 15) interprets what the case study methodology is by saying, “Case studies, in which the researcher explores in depth a program,…show more content…
First, the research desires to acquire an in-depth understanding of internationalization process within the context of the three state universities in Eastern Visayas from the perspectives of the people who are involved in the process. A deep understanding of how these three state universities internationalize is being desired so as to bring in new knowledge that would be useful in developing an international orientation among Philippine state universities and colleges which are challenged by the Government to be recognized internationally. This longing of knowledge and the manner by which knowledge can be obtained qualifies the intended research to use the case study method. These are a distinctive feature of a case study, which Bromley (1986) describes as “the desire to derive a close or otherwise in-depth understanding of a single case or small number of cases, set in their real-world contexts”. Yin (2002) also prescribes the use of case study as a research method when the researcher is interested in understanding a complex social phenomenon. Here, the process of internationalizing higher education institutions in the context of three state universities in Eastern Visayas is deemed the complex phenomenon that the researcher would want to understand. Second, the three questions that this study will try to address warrant the use of case study method. According to Shavelon & Towne (2002), case study is a valid research method when the research addresses either a descriptive question or explanatory question. In this study, the researcher uses the “how and why” – explanatory questions in order to produce rich description and interpretation of internationalization of higher education as a phenomenon from the perspectives of the subject state universities. It is from doing case study that the researcher can derive rich descriptions or insightful explanations
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