56. Case Study & Narrative Research

About this lesson

In this module, we examine two powerful qualitative research methods: case study research and narrative inquiry. These approaches offer deep insight into the complex realities of healthcare, from program evaluation to patient storytelling.

Case study research explores bounded cases (such as programs, organizations, or events) in rich detail, highlighting how context shapes healthcare outcomes. You'll learn about single vs. multiple case designs, instrumental and intrinsic cases, and how to gather data from multiple sources for triangulation and contextual analysis.

Narrative inquiry focuses on how people make meaning through stories, particularly in healthcare settings where lived experience and identity are closely intertwined. This method emphasizes chronology, personal meaning, and cultural narratives, using narrative interviews and various forms of analysis (structural, thematic, and dialogic) to interpret how individuals construct and share their experiences.

What You’ll Learn

• How to conduct in-depth case study research in healthcare
• Techniques for bounding cases and using pattern matching and cross-case analysis
• The role of narrative interviews and story analysis in qualitative research
• Differences between case study and narrative inquiry, and when to use each
• How these methods contribute to understanding healthcare experiences, implementation, and identity

These approaches are ideal for researchers and students studying healthcare delivery, organizational behavior, clinical training, or patient experiences. Case studies and narratives help bridge the gap between data and meaning, offering insights that statistics alone can't reveal.

Perfect For

• Public health and health science students
• Nursing, social work, and medical researchers
• Healthcare professionals interested in patient-centered research
• Qualitative and mixed methods scholars

Lesson notes

Full written notes for this lesson are in production. Until they publish, watch the video above and use the summary on this page as your study guide.