Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods (4th Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Yin begins the fourth edition of his 6 chapter book by explaining that case study research is a “linear, but iterative process.” This statement is supported by a visual which is displayed on the first page of each chapter. Each chapter contains one step in the linear process of case design (planning, designing, preparing, collecting, analyzing, and sharing) as well as it highlights how each step requires the researcher to review and re-examine former decisions. As Yin points out, each chapter can stand alone, yet it is linked to the other stages of the research process.