Contentious Issues in Case Study Research

Conceptual Overview and Discussion

Case study research has the potential to raise contentious issues at any stage, from the selection of the phenomenon to be examined (contentious topic), to gaining access to a research site (contentious field site), conducting field research (contentious research process), gaining agreement on data collected, providing feedback to participants, or publishing the study (contentious case research as opposed to publishing more mainstream research).

Research on a contested domain or phenomenon requires an awareness and appreciation of and respect for different voices and interpretations. Rather than imposing an artificial convergence of incompatible views or positions, the researcher should assume and acknowledge that there is no consensus. A contentious topic may be formulated as a paradox, a contradiction, or a dilemma. The starting question is empirical, open-ended, and descriptive, most often based on observation of current events, facts, and trends. The case may focus on a process (how things have unfolded over time), the construction of a causal system of explanations based on identified independent variables [Y = f(X1; X2; X3 …)], or a comparative study of the behavior of individuals, groups or societies across two or more phenomena. The design and the methodology of a case study on a contentious topic may be likened to detective work; the researcher follows various pathways and allows the tension between various hypotheses to exist. He or she also pays attention to what have traditionally been undervalued data: seemingly insignificant details in the case, as well as his or her own personal, emotional, cognitive, and relational limitations.

Contentious case studies are a form of process research; Karl Weick encouraged researchers to use verbs in their gerund form (“—ing”) to stimulate process thinking. Analysis of contentious issues relies on the search for new patterns in previously undervalued or seemingly irrelevant or meaningless data. Working in a team in a climate of open debate contributes to the quality of process research on contentious cases.

Publishing contentious cases or case research that has been contentious during the research process may be difficult, for several reasons. Journal editors who hesitate to publish qualitative articles may be reluctant to accept the additional risk of running articles that are both qualitative and contentious. In addition, current journal guidelines do not generally allow for a full description of the efforts required to access, research, and obtain clearances for the content of a contentious case study; in most cases, it is difficult to publish a rigorously detailed description of the methods used in contentious case research beyond brief, formal explanations.

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