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Recognized as one of the most cited methodology books in the social sciences, the Sixth Edition of Robert K. Yin's bestselling text provides a complete portal to the world of case study research. With the integration of 11 applications in this edition, the book gives readers access to exemplary case studies drawn from a wide variety of academic and applied fields. Ultimately, Case Study Research and Applications will guide students in the successful design and use of the case study research method. New to this Edition Includes 11 in-depth applications that show how researchers have implemented case study methods successfully. Increases reference to relativist and constructivist approaches to case study research, as well as how case studies can be part of mixed methods projects. Places greater emphasis on using plausible rival explanations to bolster case study quality. Discusses synthesizing findings across case studies in a multiple-case study in more detail Adds an expanded list of 15 fields that have text or texts devoted to case study research. Sharpens discussion of distinguishing research from non-research case studies. The author brings to light at least three remaining gaps to be filled in the future: how rival explanations can become more routinely integrated into all case study research; the difference between case-based and variable-based approaches to designing and analyzing case studies; and the relationship between case study research and qualitative research.

Theoretical Perspectives and Case Selection -- The Epidemic That Never Was: Policy Making and the Swine Flu Scare / Richard E. Neustadt and Harvey V. Fineberg -- Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis / Graham Allison and Philip Zelikow -- Middletown: A Study of Modern American Culture / Robert S. Lynd and Helen Merrell Lynd -- The Social Life of a Modern Community / W. Lloyd Warner and Paul S. Lunt -- Implementation: How Great Expectations in Washington Are Dashed in Oakland / Jeffrey L. Pressman and Aaron Wildavsky -- The Strength of Multiple Cases -- Korea: Winning with Microwaves / Ira Magaziner and Mark Patinkin -- The Rise of the Pentagon and U.S. State Building: The Defense Program as Industrial Policy / Gregory Hooks -- The Limits of Centralization / Martha Derthick -- Quantitative Evidence and "Embedded" Units of Analysis -- Implementing an Education Innovation / Neal Cross, Joseph B, Giacquinta, and Marilyn Bernstein -- Union Democracy: The Internal Politics of the International Typographical Union / Seymour Martin Lipset, Martin A. Trow, and James S. Coleman -- Testing the Basic Logic of the Chicago School Reform Act / Anthony S. Bryk, et al

Validity and generalization continue to be challenging aspects in designing and conducting case study evaluations, especially when the number of cases being studied is highly limited (even limited to a single case). To address the challenge, this article highlights current knowledge regarding the use of: (1) rival explanations, triangulation, and logic models in strengthening validity, and (2) analytic generalization and the role of theory in seeking to generalize from case studies. To ground the discussion, the article cites specific practices and examples from the existing literature as well as from the six preceding articles assembled in this special issue. Throughout, the article emphasizes that current knowledge may still be regarded as being at its early stage of development, still leaving room for more learning. The article concludes by pointing to three topics worthy of future methodological inquiry, including: (1) examining the connection between the way that initial evaluation questions are posed and the selection of the appropriate evaluation method in an ensuing evaluation, (2) the importance of operationally defining the 'complexity' of an intervention, and (3) raising awareness about case study evaluation methods more generally.

AbstractLogic models are critical in helping evaluators understand the design and implementation of programs and advance the practice of case study approaches to evaluation.

AbstractThis chapter identifies four commonalities between qualitative and quantitative research, thereby creating a new synthesis to diminish the divisiveness between the two camps.