Case study research : what, why and how? / Peter G. Swanborn.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. What is a case study? -- 1.1. Introduction -- 1.2. Phenomena and cases -- 1.3. Historical background -- 1.4. Methodological point of departure -- 1.5. Definition -- 1.6. Additional remarks about the definition -- 1.7. An holistic approach? -- 1.8. Conclusions -- Exercises -- Key terms -- 2. When to conduct a case study? -- 2.1. Introduction -- 2.2. Research questions -- 2.3. Specific conditions -- 2.4. Further considerations -- 2.5. Conclusions -- Exercises -- Key terms -- 3. How to select cases? -- 3.1. Introduction -- 3.2. Demarcation of the domain -- 3.3. No selection at all -- 3.4. Random selection -- 3.5. Pragmatic grounds -- 3.6. Substantive criteria -- 3.7. The problem of generalisation -- 3.8. Conclusions -- Exercises -- Key terms -- 4. What data to collect? -- 4.1. Introduction -- 4.2. Data and theories -- 4.3. An application of theory -- 4.4. Causality -- 4.5. Conclusions -- Exercises -- Key terms -- 5. How to enrich your case study data? -- 5.1. Introduction: degrees of freedom -- 5.2. Increasing the number of measurement points in time -- 5.3. Introducing sub-units -- 5.4. Increasing the number of cases -- 5.5. Increasing the number of predictions -- 5.6. Using several gradations of the independent variables -- 5.7. Diversifying methods of collecting data -- 5.8. Diversifying researchers -- 5.9. Presenting results to participants and using their opinions as extra data -- 5.10. Conclusions -- Exercises -- Key terms -- 6. How to analyse your data? -- 6.1. Introduction -- 6.2. Five traditions -- 6.3. Analysis -- 6.4. Limits of tabulations on qualitative data -- 6.5. Conclusions -- Exercises -- Key terms -- 7. Assets and opportunities -- 7.1. Styles of reporting -- 7.2. Combining intensive and extensive approaches -- 7.3. Generalising from the user's perspective -- 7.4. Meta-analysis -- 7.5. The efficiency of case studies -- 7.6. Epilogue -- Key terms -- Appendix 1. Selected literature on case studies -- Appendix 2. The political science debate on case studies -- Appendix 3. A note on triangulation -- Appendix 4. A note on contamination.