case study

noun

1. a study of an individual unit, as a person, family, or social group, usually emphasizing developmental issues and relationships with the environment, especially in order to compare a larger group to the individual unit.
2. case history.

case study

noun

1. the act or an instance of analysing one or more particular cases or case histories with a view to making generalizations

Word History and Origins

Origin of case study¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Ms Gray has been a case study in the early difficulties of that grappling, which Downing Street might now finally hope to have put behind it.

From BBC

If Trump should be reelected, the response from the right will certainly be cited in history books as a case study in how propaganda was used to sell authoritarianism.

From Los Angeles Times

Prof Glossop paid tribute to Sir Brian's work, but added: "Did that case study prove that badgers have no role to play in the bovine TB equation? No, I don’t agree with that conclusion."

From BBC

It is a case study in being sustainable, being present in your community and being shrewd with your recruitment.

From BBC

The study that the York team rated highest in this area was a case study of a single transgender teen—hardly the sort of evidence that you want to be basing clinical decisions on.

From Slate

Related Words

• medical history