N of One plus Some: An Alternative Strategy for Conducting Single Case Research

Abstract

Case study researchers choose between single and multiple case research approaches. The literature recommends single cases for gaining in-depth understanding and multiple cases for acquiring broader understanding. This article presents the unconventional approach of a primary case informed by multiple secondary cases. It suggests that focusing on one case while following some additional secondary cases may, paradoxically and under certain conditions, be a better way of conducting in-depth, single case research. The secondary, or assisting, cases can help the researcher to identify issues to expect, questions to ask, and data to look for in the primary case.