Case study research has a long and varied history within and beyond the social sciences. This collection brings together the key articles on this method from the full range of social science disciplines: sociology, political science, policy and public administration studies, law, social work, anthropology, community and urban studies, business and management studies, economics and psychology. The foundations and debates central to this method are exhaustively covered. The first volume covers the early influential statements and examples of case study research. The following three volumes explore issues pertaining to the generalizability of this method, the meaning of 'case', the appropriate methods for collecting data and how case study research enables 'understanding' and 'explanation'. Together they form the most comprehensive collection of articles available in this important research method.