What is a characteristic of an intrinsic case study?

An intrinsic case study focuses on a specific case to gain a deep understanding of that particular instance rather than looking to generalize findings to broader categories. This method emphasizes the uniqueness of the case at hand, allowing researchers to explore its context, complexity, and nuances thoroughly. By centering attention on the details and intricacies of the case, the researcher can uncover insights that may not be readily apparent in more generalized studies. This characteristic is vital for fields such as nursing research, where individual patient experiences can significantly differ, and understanding those specific cases can lead to valuable implications for practice and theory development.

While some case studies might involve other methodologies or data types, intrinsic case studies are primarily qualitative and do focus on one specific case or phenomenon, which contributes to a detailed understanding rather than a broad application.