Case study as a form of primary research method faces a serious definitional crisis among researchers in all areas of study. This library research aims to reconcile these definitions, establish whether case study is a method, a methodology, a design, a research or an approach. This paper analyzes the circumstances under which case study could be most suitable, especially in applied linguistics. The authors focus on the limitations of case study, its strengths notwithstanding. Despite its inherent weaknesses, case study remains a very powerful methodology for language researchers and for theory development in applied linguistics and language education. Its limitations in generalizability are counterbalanced by its detailed portrayal of issues, settings, individuals, and interactions.
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