Case Study Research in the Digital Age

Case Study Research in the Digital Age is an in-depth exploration of the case study method as applied to social media, algorithms, digital networks, artificial intelligence, and online life.

By applying and adapting case study theory to digital phenomena, Case Study Research in the Digital Age argues for a fundamental change to the unit of analysis in case study research: the entity. It uses this change as a jumping off point for an overview of case study work as applied to a variety of digital phenomena, including online discussions, social media communities, and artificial intelligence. Written in an accessible way, this book presents a rigorous theoretical discussion of the very definitions of a case study while providing guidance on case study definitions, research design, data collection, analysis, ethics, and case reporting.

Case Study Research in the Digital Age can be used by a wide array of scholars, from novice to seasoned case study researchers, as well as a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to anthropology, communication, education, history, information science, psychology, and sociology.

John R. Gallagher is Associate Professor of Writing and Rhetoric in the English department at The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is also a faculty affiliate at the School of Information Sciences. His work focuses on social science related to practices of writing in digital spaces.