One-Shot Case Studies: A Review of Their Characteristics and Utility
Case studies are a form of qualitative research that provide a valuable tool for understanding the complexities and intricacies of real-world phenomena. One-shot case studies are those that are conducted over a brief period of time and focus on a single event or issue. This type of research is particularly useful for studying emergent phenomena or for examining the short-term effects of an intervention. The present review provides an overview of one-shot case studies, including their characteristics, utility, and limitations.
Characteristics
One-shot case studies are characterized by their focus on a single event or issue, their short time frame, and their holistic approach to data collection and analysis. The focus of the study is often on a single individual, group, organization, or event, although more than one subject or event may be included in a given study. The study is typically conducted over a brief period of time, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. The data collection and analysis are typically conducted in a holistic manner, utilizing a variety of data sources and using multiple methods of data collection and analysis.
Utility
One-shot case studies are useful for studying emergent phenomena or for examining the short-term effects of an intervention. The short timeframe of the study allows the researcher to capture phenomena that may be fleeting or highly variable over time. This type of study is also useful for capturing data from a variety of sources in a short period of time, which is particularly useful when dealing with complex phenomena.
Limitations
Despite the usefulness of one-shot case studies, there are some limitations that must be taken into consideration. One-shot case studies are limited in scope in terms of the amount of data that can be collected and analyzed. The study is also limited in its ability to provide an in-depth examination of the phenomenon or to draw causal conclusions due to its brief timeframe and holistic approach. Additionally, the results of the study may be difficult to generalize to other contexts due to the unique nature of the study.
Conclusion
One-shot case studies are a useful tool for studying emergent phenomena or for examining the short-term effects of an intervention. This type of research is characterized by its focus on a single event or issue, its short timeframe, and its holistic approach to data collection and analysis. Despite its utility, one-shot case studies are limited in scope and may be difficult to generalize to other contexts.
References
Creswell, J.W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Glesne, C. (2016). Becoming qualitative researchers: An introduction (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.
Morse, J.M. (2015). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.
Patton, M.Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.