Gevalstudie

Gevalstudie, a Dutch term, translates to "case study" in English. It is a qualitative research method that involves an in-depth, detailed examination of a particular individual, group, event, or community. The goal of a gevalstudie is to gain a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon within its real-world context. This method is widely used across various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, education, business, and medicine.

The process of conducting a gevalstudie typically involves collecting data from multiple sources. This can include interviews, observations, questionnaires, documents, and archival records. The researcher aims to explore the complexities and nuances of the case, seeking to understand not just what happened, but why and how it happened. Unlike quantitative studies that aim for generalizability, a gevalstudie focuses on providing rich, descriptive insights into a specific instance.

Gevalstudies are particularly useful when exploring new or complex issues where existing theories may be insufficient. They can generate hypotheses for further research or provide detailed illustrations of theoretical concepts. While the findings of a single gevalstudie may not be directly generalizable to other cases, they can offer valuable insights and contribute to a broader understanding of human behavior and social phenomena. The interpretation of the data is crucial, and researchers must carefully consider the context and potential biases.