In this Handbook, Peter Rule and Vaughn M. John bring together international experts to provide a thorough overview of case study research in the social sciences. Analysing both historical and contemporary examples, the Handbook contains a comprehensive grounding for both experienced and novice researchers in case study theory and methodology, drawing out the challenges as well as the prospects for its development.

The Handbook elaborates on the foundational issues of case study research, for instance meaning-making, definition, context and theory. Chapter authors examine methodological dimensions, including single and multiple case study design, methods of data collection, analysis and presentation, and the relation of case study to narrative and ethnographical research. They deploy an interdisciplinary approach across education, anthropology, psychotherapy, social work, public administration and business ethics and draw connections between the local and the global.

Spanning a range of disciplines and fields, this Handbook is a vital resource for students and scholars of the social sciences with an interest in case study methodology, as well as academics who use case studies in their research.