This section highlights the definition of a case study, types of case study, and some of the scholars’ perceptions about case study application or practice as a case methodology. Many scholars have different opinions when it comes to case studies. Some define it as an in-depth exploration of particular individuals that are expected to reveal experiences and knowledge in context with the topic under study (Lindegger, 2006). Rule and John (2011) indicate that case study is defined in multiple ways by different authors (such as Bogdan & Biklen, 1992; Bassey, 1999; Creswell, 2002; as cited in Rule and John, 2011). Rule and John (2011) summarise the definition of a case study as an intensive inquiry of a certain aspect of social interest with the purpose of creating evidence-based knowledge.
Case study is explained by Babbie (2004) as a thorough inquiry of a social challenge, for instance to determine how the challenge impedes development or affects human beings, by selecting a group that can be trusted to reveal results that can be representative of the larger group. The researcher identifies the single instances of some social phenomenon, such as a village, a family, a juvenile gang or a community. Various types of case studies are outlined by different scholars.
4.4.1 Types of case studies
Rule and John (2011), together with many other scholars, highlight the use of several types of case studies, but the most prominent and commonly used are exploratory, explanatory, descriptive, intrinsic, instrumental and collective. Yin (2003) sees a case study taking many
77 approaches but identifies the main approaches to be exploratory and descriptive. Stake (1995) affirms that a case study can be explained in several ways of which the most outstanding are:
intrinsic, instrumental and collective case studies. The main types of case studies are discussed below for justification of the type chosen for use in this study.
An explanatory case study seeks to answer questions that sought to explain the phenomenon with the intention to simplify and explain complex issues. It explains the occurrences in a clearer manner for the user to understand the real context in which the incident happened. An exploratory case study focuses on understanding relatively under-researched phenomena (Yin, 2003). The instrumental type is used when a researcher aims to access and utilise a certain solution for a specific condition. This type of case study is highly specific and must come up with solutions specific for the challenge upfront. Stake (as cited in Baxter and Jack, 2008) indicates that the collective case study (as the name implies) is used to identify a group of case studies that are similar in nature and description to more than one case study (or for one to gather knowledge on more than one occurrence, for instance a population or general condition) (Yin, 2003).
Rule and John (2011) argue that a case study is used to address the research questions in a study in a way that puts together in-depth, but orderly arranged, information relevant to one unit of analysis. In this study, my single bounded unit of analysis was the support group. However, the collective case study approach involved three support groups. In this particular study, the cases were the three support groups formed of the mothers-in-law, the mixed support group and the fathers-to-fathers support group.
The type of case study most appropriate for the research
In this research the researcher opted for an exploratory case study approach but used a collective case study design. Punch and Oancea (2014), and Rule and John (2011) argue that a multiple or collective case study approach makes it easier for the researcher to compare the results across the cases. This increases one’s competence in the compilation of results, analysis and making conclusions.
78 My study is exploratory because investigations were conducted into relatively unknown areas of research. Therefore, one had to explore in order to discover what happens in this particular study in the Botha-Bothe district of Lesotho because there had not been a study of a similar nature.
Although it is primarily exploratory research, it has an observable feature of descriptive elements in that it provides an in-depth description of the case, and explanatory elements since it allows the use of theories such as communities of practice theory, social capital theory and transformative learning theory to make sense of data.
Koshy (2005) argues that case studies are an ideal way of disseminating information related to the topic under study because they can present precise information for the readers’ consumption especially readers seeking for outcomes of the research project. Therefore, the findings will be disseminated back to the support groups through meetings with the three support groups, hospital authorities, youth group leaders and people interested in knowing what the support groups in hospital were doing.
4.4.2 Limitations of the case study
Many authors have discussed the limitations of case study. The most prominent ones include Pillay and Harvey (2006) and Yin (2003) who both indicate that the key limitation, among many, is the quality and rigour of case study, especially if the researcher is not fully conversant with the methodology. The generalisation of case study findings, especially from single cases, may not be possible in many incidences. The other limitation is its possible bias due to over exposure of the researcher to human subjects during data collection. Therefore, these limitations may lead to problems with the validity of information. Since I used multiple case studies and multiple visits which were recorded digitally, it was hoped that the limitations of bias would be minimised and the benefits of having rich descriptive data would overcome concerns with rigour. Although I was a non-participant observer, it must be assumed that I was not totally exempt from influencing the dynamics of the meetings. Nevertheless, it will be seen that my presence did not hinder the participants’ willingness to speak openly at all times.
The most appropriate research approach for the interpretive paradigm is a qualitative one, which is outlined below.
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