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Case studies: A research strategy appropriate for palliative care?

Ann L Caress

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester

Carolyn Chew-Graham

School of Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester

Chris J Todd

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester

Selecting an appropriate research strategy is key to ensuring that research questions are addressed in a way which has value and is congruent with the overall topic, questions and purpose of the research. This paper will argue that there are situations when a case study strategy is appropriate to use in palliative care research. These include: when complex situations need to be addressed; when context is central to the study; when multiple perspectives need to be recognized; when the design needs to be flexible; when the research needs to be congruent with clinical practice; when there is no strong theory to which to appeal; and when other methodologies could be difficult to conduct. Using case study strategies rigorously and appropriately can contribute to knowledge in a way which is sensitive to the complex, context-dependent and multiprofessional nature of palliative care.

Key Words: health services research • palliative care • research design

Palliative Medicine, Vol. 18, No. 8, 677-684 (2004)
DOI: 10.1191/0269216304pm962ra


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