Gevallestudies

Gevallestudies are systematic, in-depth investigations of a single case or a small number of cases, conducted within their real-life context. The term is used in multilingual scholarship and corresponds to the concept of a case study in English-language literature. Gevallestudies aim to illuminate how and why certain outcomes occur by examining contextual factors, processes, and relationships that are difficult to capture with large-scale quantitative research.

Methodologically, gevallestudies typically involve purposeful or theoretical sampling to select cases that are informative for the research question. Data collection draws on multiple sources, such as interviews, documents, archival records, direct observations, and, when appropriate, quantitative data. Analysis often uses qualitative techniques like pattern matching, explanation building, and cross-case synthesis, and may employ within-case and across-case comparisons to identify mechanisms and contextual influences.

Common classifications distinguish single-case from multiple-case designs, and intrinsic case studies (studying the case for its own sake) from instrumental or theory-testing cases (using the case to understand broader issues). The structure of a gevallestudy generally includes a case description, data collection and analysis methods, findings, discussion of implications, and considerations of validity and limitations.

Applications span many fields, including business and management, public policy, healthcare, education, law, and engineering. Strengths of gevallestudies include rich, contextual insight and the ability to explore complex processes in depth; limitations include questions of generalizability and potential researcher bias, which scholars mitigate through transparent reporting and rigorous triangulation.