What is a key strength of a case study and its limitation?

• A. Large sample; generalizable; lacks detail.
• B. A case study is an in-depth examination; strengths include rich detail and theory development; limits include lack of generalizability and potential bias.
• C. Quick data; cheap; no bias.
• D. High external validity; limited depth.

Answer: (B)

Case studies give an in-depth look at a single person, group, or situation, which means you can gather rich, detailed data that capture real-world complexity. This depth often sparks theory development because you see how factors interact in context, revealing nuances that bigger, more artificial studies might miss. The flip side is that these findings are tied to the particular case and setting, so they don’t easily generalize to a broader population. There’s also a higher chance of bias influencing the results, since interpretations can be shaped by the researcher’s perspectives and the unique features of the case. In short, case studies are strong for rich detail and theory ideas, but limited in generalizability and prone to bias.