Gomes Araújo, L and Lucko, G (2022) Best practices for case studies in construction engineering and management research. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 148(8): 04022062, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Construction engineering and management research faces a fundamental dilemma: projects are designed and built just once. Case studies, a qualitative research method, are an appealing choice that is suited to this unique reality. But the analytical training of engineers prefers quantitative approaches, even if statistical questions of sample size arise. If carefully designed and executed, case studies can achieve generalizability. Yet the larger question is how to optimally plan and implement them. This paper therefore makes four contributions: First, it quantifies the growth of case studies and assembles definitions to illuminate their nature. Second, it creates a structured framework aligned to the Scientific Method and extracts best practices from pertinent sources. Third, it exemplifies them on successful applications in recent construction studies to inspire future studies. Fourth, it distills them into criteria to plan or evaluate quality case studies that academics and practitioners alike can use to efficiently deploy this powerful research method.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | case study, engineer, sample size, best practice, construction engineering, future study, management research, qualitative research method, face, practitioner |
| Subjects: | engineering methods, research design and methodology, business, profession, data collection methods, practitioner, psychology |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here