Case study as scientific research procedure: reflection from clinical work / Estudo de caso como procedimento de pesquisa científica: reflexão a partir da clínica fonoaudiológica

• Main Authors: Laïs de Toledo Krücken Pereira, Dalva Maria Alves Godoy, Denise Terçariol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2009-01-01
• Series: Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica
• Subjects: Case study; Qualitative research; Research methods; Clinique
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-79722009000300013&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt

The objective of this article is to consider methodological and epistemological questions concerning the use of case study as a strategy of scientific research. Focusing on case selection through statistics analysis, the use of clinical files in research, and the construction of clinical theory, three kinds of case studies in the area of speech pathology are presented. Advantages, possibilities, difficulties, and necessary cares concerning the use of the strategy are analyzed. The results point out to the flexibility of the strategy in terms of selection of cases, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, stressing its versatility. From clinical performance to theoretical construction and education, the transition of the strategy through different spheres of knowledge is evident, which emphasizes its role in the construction of knowledge.