To successfully search for results for a case study, you need to clearly define your core research question, identify key variables, and combine topical keywords with methodology-specific terms in academic databases. Finding existing case studies or empirical evidence to support your own research requires a targeted approach, as case studies are typically highly specific to their context.
1. Define Your Search Parameters
Before diving into databases, break your topic down into core concepts. Identify the specific population, phenomenon, and context you are investigating. For example, if you are conducting a literature review on remote work productivity, your core terms might include "telecommuting," "employee performance," and "tech industry."
2. Add Methodology Keywords
To ensure your search yields actual case studies rather than broad theoretical papers or systematic reviews, you must include methodology-specific keywords in your search queries. Combine your topical keywords with terms like:
- "Case study" OR "multiple case study"
- "Qualitative research" OR "mixed methods"
- "Empirical evidence" OR "field study"
- "Exploratory study" OR "observational study"
3. Leverage Advanced Search Techniques
Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to tightly connect your terms. A strong search string might look like: (“remote work” OR “telecommuting”) AND (“productivity”) AND “case study”. Remember to use quotation marks to search for exact phrases. If you are struggling to find exact matches or are getting buried in irrelevant literature, WisPaper's Scholar Search can streamline this process by understanding your underlying research intent rather than just matching exact keywords, effectively filtering out up to 90% of the noise.
4. Utilize Database Filters
When using academic search engines and university libraries, take advantage of built-in filters. Narrow your results by publication date to find the most recent research, and check the "peer-reviewed" box to ensure high academic quality. Many databases in fields like psychology, business, and medicine also allow you to filter specifically by document type or research methodology.
5. Skim for Relevance and Extract Results
Once you have a list of potential papers, do not read them cover to cover immediately. Read the abstract first to confirm the methodology is genuinely a case study. Next, jump straight to the "Results" or "Findings" sections to see the specific qualitative themes or quantitative data the authors uncovered. Finally, review the "Discussion" section, as this is where researchers typically explain the broader implications of their case study results and highlight potential research gaps you can address in your own work.
