How do you choose between a holistic case study and an embedded case study?

A holistic case study can often be a great sales tool. It identifies a single problem and how your solution, product, or service best addresses and solves that problem. Holistic case studies can be powerful tools that marketing departments can develop and provide to sales professionals to assist them in gaining new customers. Holistic case studies should be important to your sales and marketing collateral. They also provide great fodder for social media marketing content.

When deciding between a holistic case study and an embedded case study, it is important to consider the specific research objectives and the level of depth required in the analysis. A holistic case study involves looking at a single entity as a whole, considering all aspects and variables that may influence the outcome. On the other hand, an embedded case study focuses on a specific aspect or component within a larger context. Ultimately, the choice between a holistic and an embedded case study depends on the research questions being addressed and the level of detail needed to answer them effectively. It is essential to carefully consider the scope and objectives of the study before determining which approach is most suitable.

A holistic case study focuses on a single unit of analysis, providing a comprehensive description without dividing it into subunits. It's ideal for exploring unique or straightforward cases, such as the impact of a policy on a community or the success factors of a social enterprise.

An embedded case study involves multiple units of analysis within a single case, offering a nuanced understanding by comparing and contrasting subunits. It's suitable for exploring diverse or multifaceted cases, such as studying the implementation of a new curriculum in different schools or investigating factors influencing the adoption of a new technology by various users.

With a shift to remote interviewing, embedded case studies are an incredible opportunity for businesses to establish credibility and increase sales. If your customers buy through a complex sale, with many stakeholders, they will benefit from a complex case study that highlights multiple users. This is where an embedded case study shines.

I have a question here and let me present it like a case for your example. studying the implementation of a new curriculum. One goes to the field, say, visits 5 schools, interview teachers and head teachers, and also visit the curriculum department, interview officials, and analyze some documents. If it is a multiple-embedded case study, then what is the case, and what is the unit of analysis here?

This a timely article for me as I was doing an exploratory single case study that IRB and my chair approved, but in week 7 of my 8-week last course, he said it was wrong, and I needed to do a descriptive design because I had only two data sources. To add insult to injury, my dissertation chair resigns. I have a new chair for my last class. After reading this information, I wanted to know if I could keep my exploratory design and split the single holistic case study into an embedded one. I have data that explores the topic and data that shows the difference between participants who have knowledge of the subject and participants who do not have knowledge of the subject. I wanted to know your opinion on this to strengthen my argument.

When choosing between a holistic and an embedded case study, consider factors such as the focus of your research, the complexity of the case, the number of cases, and the available data. Assessing these factors will help you make an informed decision aligned with your research objectives, questions, and context.

Speaking as a marketer, the answer is simple: design for the end reader. What do your users actually want to read? Treat a case study like a free product that you offer to engage new users.

When choosing between a holistic or embedded case study, clarify your research purpose and question, remain flexible, and ensure transparency and rigor in your choice. Justify your decision in your research design and report. Following these tips helps make an informed decision aligned with your research needs and goals. Case studies are valuable for complex questions but require careful planning and execution in case study selection.