Methodology in Nursing Research

Through data collection methods using a holistic approach that focuses on variables in a natural setting, qualitative research methods seek to understand participants’ perceptions and interpretations. Common qualitative research methods include ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and historic research. Another type of methodology that has a similar qualitative approach is case study research, which seeks to understand a phenomenon or case from multiple perspectives within a given real-world context (Taylor & Thomas-Gregory, 2015). Case study research has been described as a flexible but challenging methodology used in social science research. It has had the least attention and support among social science research methods, as a result of a lack of a well-defined protocol, and has had limited use in nursing research (Donnelly & Wiechula, 2012; Taylor & Thomas-Gregory, 2015; Yin, 2012, 2014). Three methodologists, Yin, Merriam, and Stake, have been credited as seminal authors who have provided procedures for case study research (Yazan, 2015). This article will describe and discuss case study research from the perspective of these three methodologists and explore the use of this methodology in nursing research.