Qualitative approaches in nursing research. The centrality of caring: a case study

This chapter has provided a rudimentary example of an exploratory/descriptive case study, utilizing phenomenological methods of data analysis. As discussed in the previous chapter, clearly delineated methods for case studies are not prevalent in the same way that other research methods are. The clear and fundamental design of this case study was purposeful as a demonstration of the utility of the method in day-to-day nursing. The aesthetic quality of the case study method is its simplicity of design. It is critical to note that the simplicity does not decrease the rigor or scientific merit of the process or outcome; in fact, an opposite argument could be made. The reporting style utilized was traditional so that the method could be clearly understood and compared to other research methods.