Difference Between Case Study and Research

Key Difference

Case studies and research are both valuable tools in academic and professional fields but serve different purposes and methodologies. A case study is a detailed examination of a specific instance, situation, or individual, often used to explore complex issues in real-world settings. It provides in-depth insights into a particular subject.

Research, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. It often involves hypothesis testing, data collection, and analysis across a wider scope.

Comparative Analysis

1. Scope and Focus:
   • Case Study: Concentrates on a specific instance or example.
   • Research: Broader inquiry, exploring a general or specific topic.
2. Methodology:
   • Case Study: Qualitative, narrative analysis, in-depth investigation.
   • Research: Can be qualitative or quantitative, involves systematic data collection and analysis.
3. Purpose:
   • Case Study: To provide a detailed understanding, and explore the nuances of a single case.
   • Research: To discover, interpret, or revise facts, theories, and applications.
4. Generalizability:
   • Case Study: Findings are often not generalizable.
   • Research: Aims for findings that can be generalized or applied broadly.
5. Applications:
   • Case Study: Used in business, psychology, social sciences for practical insights.
   • Research: Applied across all scientific and scholarly disciplines.

Table Summary of Case Study vs Research

Feature	Case Study	Research
Scope	Specific instance	Broad inquiry
Methodology	Qualitative, in-depth	Qualitative or quantitative, systematic
Purpose	Detailed understanding of a case	Discovering and interpreting facts
Generalizability	Limited	Broader applicability
Applications	Business, psychology, social sciences	All academic disciplines