Case study rationale

The use of case studies can be suited for well quantitatively explored areas (i.e. analysis of agencies through COBRA methodology) and for less statistically explored areas (i.e. role of agencies in policy-making).

To write your rationale, you should first write a background on what all research has been done on your study topic. Follow this with ‘what is missing’ or ‘what are the open questions of the study’. Identify the gaps in the literature and emphasize why it is important to address those gaps. This will form the rationale of your study.

The note is subject to discussion (COST session in Rotterdam 5- September 2008) not only on the methodological aspects to be followed but also on the applied options for COST project. This section is devoted to justify the usefulness of case studies. Those who are already persuaded may skip it. Case studies are helpful in numerous ways.

Rationale of the Study Rationale of study/research is the justification of that study. According to Drummer & Bassed (2013) “The rationale often explains which specific groups of people can benefit from the research and it typically indicates how the specific project fits within the developing body of knowledge.”