lOMoARcPSD|22517024
BUSI710 DB1 Hard - Discussion
Advanced Business Research Methods (Liberty
University)
lOMoARcPSD|22517024
Busi 710 - Discussion 1
What Makes a Good Problem? - Case Studies & Consulting
Busi 710 - Discussion 1
Tabitha Hardin
Liberty University
Abstract
This is a brief overview of case studies and consulting and what type of problems would be
suited for each category. Not all problems can be solved by performing a case study and to
that effect some problems should not be attempted to be solved for consulting. This does
not infer that one is superior to the other. More so that each type of a problem should be
addressed by the most appropriate method to find resolution or information.
Case Study
A case study is (Robson and McCartan, 2015) a strategy for doing research which involves
an empirical investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon within its real life
context using multiple sources of evidence (p. 150). Case studies are better suited for
broader problems and are used to unveil information about an individual, groups,
lOMoARcPSD|22517024
communities, social groups, or organizations in its real life context. Case studies require
gathering large amounts of detailed data through various data collection methods both
qualitative and quantitative. The duration of the study can vary widely depending on the
subject being researched.
Consulting
According to Shugan (2004) consulting is providing a professional or technical service to
benefit a particular client. Consulting can be a broad subject but it is more about identifying
a resolution to a specific problem for a client. There may be similar elements of research but
there is an obvious objective beyond data gathering.
Bibliography
Flyvbjerg, B. (2006). Five Misunderstandings About Case-Study Research. Qualitative
Inquiry, 12(2), 219–245. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800405284363. An article
about five common errors when reviewing or attempting case studies. In comparison
to the other resources, this is a narrower focus on just case studies. The article was
about the misunderstandings of case-studies, but it provided a more in depth of
review of what makes a case study sound.
Robson, C. and McCartan, K., 2015. Real World Research, 4Th Edition. 1st ed. John
Wiley & Sons. (ch 1-2) A text book that provides a depth of knowledge on real-
world research and provides detailed exampled of the various types of research and
methodologies. In comparison to the other resources, it is a much broader overview
of research techniques and methodologies. The text book provided the base
lOMoARcPSD|22517024
knowledge needed to understand the types of research needed to perform case
studies and consulting. As well as going over the qualitative and quantitative data
and role it plays in each category.
Shugan, S. (2004). Editorial: Consulting, Research, and Consulting Research. Marketing
Science, 23(2), 173-179. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/30036668. A short article on the ethic's of academic consulting.
In comparison to the other resources this article provided a broader overview of
academic consultation. This article provided a concise definition of consulting and provided
reasons for consulting research and its benefits as well as its downfalls.
