LISR 6,275.28 asso
The Case Study Method:
A Case Study
Rava Fie
‘raduate Scho of Leary and information Science
‘ravers of Washington
‘Seat, WA 96799
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INTRODUCTION
‘Case studies ate performed fo various purposes, In the most limied sense
ofthe concept, eases themselves maybe of interes such as when one studies
an organization withthe aim of improving its functioning. When applied ss
‘research method, casestudies are usually carried out to generate findings
‘of televance beyond the inividual cases. Asa revearch method, casestudies
Seem to be appropriate for ivetgating phenomena when (1) sarge variety
fof factrs and relationships ae included, (2) no basic laws exist to deter-
‘mine which factors and relationships are important, and (3) when the fc.
tors and relationships can be directly observed.
‘Case studies have been used in library ad information research to
suggest various types of findings, The application ofthis method to sytem
atially develop a comprehensive mode describing paters of Behavior,
however, was fist carried out in the study of online searching styles which is
described here. By providing an annotated desription of the procedret
land analyses applied, researchers may develop a sharper awareness of both
the special problems andthe variety of isis that maybe eained in the ap
plieation ofthis method to brary and information research1, THE CASE STUDY METHOD
“The case study method isa specific id research method, Feld suds are
Jnvesigavins of phenomena as they ovcut without any significant interven
tion of the investigators. Becker (107) explains that case sty refers 0 &