The extended case method in nursing research: Unpacking the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’

BackgroundThe extended case method approach has been in existence for decades, albeit remains poorly utilized in nursing, though there are several phenomena of interest to the discipline that may potentially benefit from this unique approach. This provides an avenue to examine the extended case method approach and how to employ it to examine phenomena of interest to the discipline of nursing.ObjectivesTo examine what the extended case method is, why it should be employed to examine phenomena of interest to nursing, highlight some studies that have employed the approach in nursing, and offer methodological guidance to support its conduct and uptake in nursing research.DesignDiscussion paper.FindingsThe extended case method emphasizes the use of a theory and focuses on discovering how underlying structures at the micro level are affected by broader social forces. This makes it a useful approach to examine how macro level theories affect vulnerable, marginalized persons, which makes it particularly useful to the discipline of nursing. The approach is flexible, and there are no strict steps to be followed, albeit three important stages are highlighted.DiscussionThe extended case method offers a unique approach to examining how policies, rules and structures come into play in phenomena of interest to the discipline of nursing. This notwithstanding, the use of this approach is resource intensive.What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?The extended case method is a unique qualitative design applicable to examining understudied, emerging and established phenomena relevant to nursing.The focus of the extended case method is to examine ‘what is’ and ‘what ought to be’.Patient and public contributionNo patient or public contribution.