Case Studies Case Study Analysis Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a case study, qualitative analysis primarily involves which of the following?
- Interpreting non-numerical data such as interviews and observations (Correct answer)
- Calculating financial ratios and statistics
- Constructing regression models from datasets
- Running A/B tests on user behavior
Correct answer: Interpreting non-numerical data such as interviews and observations
Qualitative analysis focuses on interpreting non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, and narratives to understand context and meaning.
Question 2: Porter's Five Forces model is used in case study analysis to assess what?
- Industry competitiveness and profitability potential (Correct answer)
- A company's internal financial health
- Employee productivity and morale
- Supply chain logistics efficiency
Correct answer: Industry competitiveness and profitability potential
Porter's Five Forces evaluates the competitive intensity and profitability potential of an industry by examining five structural forces.
Question 3: What is triangulation in the context of case study research?
- Using multiple data sources or methods to validate findings (Correct answer)
- Calculating geometric averages of financial data
- Dividing a case study into three equal analytical sections
- Mapping three stakeholder perspectives on a single issue
Correct answer: Using multiple data sources or methods to validate findings
Triangulation uses multiple data sources, methods, or perspectives to cross-check and validate the credibility of case study findings.
Question 4: Which method involves comparing multiple cases to identify patterns and differences?
- Comparative Case Study Analysis (Correct answer)
- Single Embedded Case Study
- Longitudinal Study Design
- Exploratory Survey Research
Correct answer: Comparative Case Study Analysis
Comparative case study analysis examines two or more cases side by side to identify common patterns, differences, and broader generalizability.
Question 5: In a case study analysis, what is a 'unit of analysis'?
- The specific entity or phenomenon being studied (Correct answer)
- A numerical measurement of outcomes
- The researcher's personal bias in interpreting data
- A section of the case study report
Correct answer: The specific entity or phenomenon being studied
The unit of analysis defines the specific entity — such as an individual, organization, or event — that is the focus of investigation in a case study.
Question 6: What distinguishes an explanatory case study from a descriptive case study?
- Explanatory seeks causal relationships; descriptive documents phenomena (Correct answer)
- Explanatory uses only quantitative data; descriptive uses only qualitative data
- Explanatory focuses on future predictions; descriptive focuses on past events
- Explanatory involves multiple researchers; descriptive uses a single analyst
Correct answer: Explanatory seeks causal relationships; descriptive documents phenomena
An explanatory case study seeks to establish causal relationships and explain why something occurred, while a descriptive case study documents what happened.
Case Studies Case Study Analysis Methods 2
In a case study, qualitative analysis primarily involves which of the following?