One Day on Earth: Featuring case study research

This chapter sketches out the possibilities of case study research. It first considers methodological questions (i.e., asking what kinds of “things” one can know through case study approaches), in concert with questions of methods or “how to” conduct a case study (i.e., the steps taken to carry out case study research). Both sets of questions are addressed in regard to pursuing possibilities for social justice through qualitative research practices (Denzin & Giardina, 2009). First, I develop definitions by tracing a line through the historical roots and disciplinary routes in the development of case study research. Next, I address strategies for data collection and analysis before finally delving further into questions of how qualitative case study research may change the world, grounded in the example of One Day on Earth.