IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME) e-ISSN: 2320–7388,p-ISSN: 2320–737X Volume 4, Issue 3 Ver. I (May-Jun. 2014), PP 35-40 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 35 | Page Case Study as a Choice in Qualitative Methodology Baboucarr Njie & Soaib Asimiran Abstract: The relegation of qualitative research to subordinate status decades ago has given way to its appreciation as a means of conducting studies that beg for deep thrust, humanistic adjustment and rich interpretation. Hence attention is now focused on when it should be used as opposed to relevance and credibility issues. This literature review argues to emphasize the place of qualitative research through its need and relevance before focusing on the case study method by unraveling its significance, what it does and when it is most apt for use in the qualitative research schema . In particular, it argues on the need to have three important components addressed in case studies to unearth a more holistic view: the process or practice, the interaction within such a process and the meaning of such interaction. Keywords: Case Study, Qualitative, methodology, research I. Introduction It lies bare that the choice of the research method employed to conduct research is grounded strongly on what is sought to be known, the thrust from which it wishes to be known and the depth the issue is chosen to be dug. Qualitative methodology, just as implied in its name emphasizes on the underlying qualities of entities and processes and their implicit meanings. It is anchored on the appreciation of the sociological constructed nature of reality attaching the researcher in a positively rewarding manner to the research. A benefit to be derived from the researcher’s participation in whatever capacity and degree is determined by their own resolve and commitment to not only unearth rich and useful information but to situate it in context through analysis for the best possible meaning and report. II. Qualitative methodology The debate on the nature of truth long engaged by scholars from both the qualitative and quantitative research paradigms has helped established the two methods as distinct choices of what one needs to inquire and not a contest of which is better or more credible. Quality inquiry is distinguished by its emphasis on holistic treatment of phenomena (Silverman, 2000) and has moved social research away from the common emphasis of cause and effect explanation as we used to know toward personal interpretation (Stake, 2010). Stake further unravels the epistemology of quality research as existential( nondeterministic) and constructivist and further emphasizes the correlation of the two as leaning on the principle that “phenomena are intricately related to many coincidental actions and that understanding them requires a wide sweep of contexts: temporal and spatial, historical, political, economic, cultural, social, personal”. This brings to light the humanistic virtues of qualitative research as well as the interpretative approach which is needed to understand certain situations, settings and the complexities between relations which are way too important and way too intricate to be understood by mere foraging through random sampling or the calculation of means and modesof results. An essential interest in qualitative research is the revelation of meaning buried in the nature of reality as understood and interpreted by people. Therefore how people add up or make sense of reality combined with their underlying suppositions that determine their behaviour is of paramount significance to researchers following the qualitative research trajectory. Denzin&Lincoln(2004) captures this concept appositely as follows: "Qualitative research is multi-method in focus, involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its subject matter. This means that qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, attempting to make sense of, or interpret phenomena, in terms of the meanings people bring to them. Qualitative research involves the studied use and collection of a variety of empirical materials… that describe routine and problematic moments and meanings in individuals' lives." The qualitative method is typically used on purpose in research. It is used specifically to unravel a complex phenomenon or one with little information about. Leedy&Ormrod (2005) indicate that qualitative research “is definitely not the approach to take if you are looking for quick results and easy answers”. It involves enthusiasm and the determination to dig deep to understand a situation or process and often need a longer time and further inquiry to better understand a situation through observation, interviews and further follow up sessions. Hence qualitative research is worth the effort and voluminous amount of time needed to conduct it to work loose complex phenomenon with rich details that cannot be amassed in research methods that rely on figures and absolutes. It portrays that other dimension deep rooted in thoughts and not easily represented on scales and averages, that underlying meaning unearthed through the genre of thorough questioning,