Case Study Research: The Art of Studying the Singular

by Helen Simons PhD

Overview

Written from an interpretive and constructionist perspective, this insightful book explores how to conduct case study research focusing on the lived experience of those in the case. Helen Simons shines a spotlight on the use of art forms and story in case study research alongside other qualitative methods that advance intuitive understanding and inclusion. Underpinning this focus are epistemic justice and democratic ethics. In a lively, personal style, Simons distills expertise and practical wisdom gained over decades of conducting case study research of programs, policies, and institutions. Chapters consider how to design, conduct, and interpret case study research; write up cases for different audiences; assure validity and quality; and generalize from a single case. Helpful features include examples, summaries, practical tips, “Pauses to Reflect,” and annotated suggestions for further reading. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462549542
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	07/18/2025
Series:	Qualitative Methods "How-To" Guides
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Helen Simons, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Education and Evaluation at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and the Royal Society of Arts, and a founder member and past president of the United Kingdom Evaluation Society. Dr. Simons has conducted many external case study evaluations funded by both governmental and nongovernmental agencies, directed case study training in 25 countries, and acted as consultant to several international organizations. She has been a visiting scholar at several universities in Spain and Australia, as well as in Iceland, Portugal, and Cyprus, and held research scholarships in New Zealand, Norway, and Poland. Her case study practice takes a humanities and arts focus underpinned by democratic ethics. Dr. Simons has also taken a major role in promoting professional ethics. She has written and published widely on case study research, qualitative methodology, and ethics.

Table of Contents

1. The Concept and Contexts of Case Study
2. How to Design Your Case
3. How to Gather Data: Methodology and Method
4.How to Analyze and Interpret the Case
5. How to Present the Case
6. How Would You Evaluate the Quality of Your Case Study?
Selected Readings and Resources
References
Index
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

"This book is a great resource for learning how to use storytelling to inform disciplinary knowledge, practice knowledge, and policy creation across numerous disciplines. It provides a thoughtful and thorough presentation of culturally sensitive case study research. I love the discussions of silence, letting participants tell their story, Indigenous perspectives, and respondent validation."—Regina T. Praetorius, PhD, LMSW-AP, School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington

"This book brings interpretivist case study into the 21st century by embracing novel creative and arts-based methods, fostering intuition as a legitimate research activity, and honoring all voices within the community, in pursuit of epistemic justice."—Antonio J. Castro, PhD, College of Education and Human Development, University of Missouri–Columbia

"Reflecting a belief in the value of thinking in cases, Simons offers a rich, practical guide on how to design, implement, and report studies of the particular. Simons draws on much of what has been written about case study research in the past several decades, while adding her unique take on the rationale for this approach and describing novel ways to justify case-based analyses and interpretations and present cases to different audiences."—Thomas A. Schwandt, PhD, Department of Educational Psychology (Emeritus), University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

From the Publisher