What is explanatory case study?

An explanatory case study is a research method used to investigate and understand complex phenomena within real-life contexts. It aims to explain the reasons behind a particular event or situation, often by exploring causal relationships and gathering in-depth qualitative data. This type of case study typically involves multiple sources of evidence, such as interviews, observations, and documents, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the case. It is particularly useful in fields such as Social Sciences, business, and education, where researchers seek to uncover underlying mechanisms and contribute to theory development.