Defining case boundaries in a mixed methods case study is crucial, as it helps to delineate what will be included or excluded from the analysis. Here are steps and considerations to help you define your case boundaries clearly:

1. Clarify the Research Question(s)

• Identify the main focus of your study. What specific phenomenon, issue, or context are you investigating?


• Define the objectives of the research to understand what information you need to gather.

2. Determine the Case

• Select the case or cases to study. This could be a single entity (e.g., an organization, community, program) or multiple entities (e.g., various organizations).


• Specify whether the case is individual, group, organization, event, or process.

3. Define Spatial Boundaries

• Geographical Limits: Specify the physical location where the case takes place (e.g., a specific city, community, or organization).


• Consider whether the study will include multiple sites or focus on a singular location.

4. Define Temporal Boundaries

• Time Frame: Identify the period during which the case is being studied (e.g., specific months, years, or historical context).


• Clarify whether you will look at past events, current practices, or future projections.

5. Identify Participants and Stakeholders

• Who is involved? Clearly define who the participants are (e.g., individuals, groups, organizations) and who might provide relevant perspectives (e.g., stakeholders, community members).


• Inclusion Criteria: Determine criteria for inclusion in the study (e.g., age, role, experience).

6. Establish Context

• Background Information: Provide context for the case, including relevant historical, cultural, or social factors that may influence the phenomenon you are studying.


• Define what surrounding factors are considered relevant or irrelevant to the case.

7. Decide on Data Collection Boundaries

• Quantitative and Qualitative Data: Specify what type of data will be collected and from where (e.g., surveys, interviews, archival data).


• Timeframe for Data Collection: Define the duration over which data collection occurs and any specific events or milestones that will be focused on.

8. Address Ethical Considerations

• Consider how ethical parameters could inform your case boundaries, including confidentiality, informed consent, and the potential impact of your study on participants and the community.

Example of Case Boundaries Definition

• Research Question: How does remote work impact employee productivity in small tech startups during the COVID-19 pandemic?


• Case: A tech startup with 50-100 employees.


• Spatial Boundaries: Located in the San Francisco Bay Area.


• Temporal Boundaries: Data will be collected from March 2020 to December 2022.


• Participants: Employees who have worked remotely during this period; recruitment will focus on diverse roles within the startup.


• Data Kolection: Interviews with employees, surveys on productivity, and company performance metrics over the defined timeframe.

By following these steps, you will establish a clear understanding of the parameters of your case study, which will guide your research and analysis.