What are the disadvantages of using case-based research design?

1. Limited Generalizability: Case studies are normally concentrated on a specific scenario, event, or system that limits their generalizability.

2. Subjectivity: The data collected for case studies are based on first-hand experiences, designed interviews, and other subjective methods to understand the case in detail, creating scope for bias, thereby hindering the credibility of the results.

3. Time-Consuming: The case study research design presents itself as a time-intensive process because it requires comprehensive and trustworthy data that must be collected and analyzed to deduce the research question's answer.

4. Small Sample Size: Case studies require the researcher to compare one, two, or a few case examples, which show limited sample sizes, and are not representative of the entire population.

5. Expensive: Conducting a case study can be considerably expensive, given the type of resources needed to carry out in-depth data collection and analysis.

6. Ethical Issues: The close-up access required to capture real-life issues in case studies may raise ethical issues on privacy, confidentiality, and the protection of the subjects' identities.

7. Investigator Influence: The investigator's predetermined preferences and beliefs can significantly influence the case selection process in ways that may not represent the general population.

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