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interpret the complexity of their world, and to understand the complexity of the world from the <br /> study participant's point of view. Maxwell (1996) identified five research purposes that are best <br /> fit with the qualitative approach; understanding meaning, understanding the particular context <br /> within which the participants act and the influence that the context has on their actions, <br /> identifying unanticipated phenomenon and influences, understanding the process by which <br /> events and actions take place, and developing causal explanations. <br /> This study fits the definition of descriptive research because it identifies and describes the <br /> activity of city managers in working with collaborators to implement public art projects. Isaac <br /> and Michael (1995) define descriptive research as "being used in the literal sense of describing <br /> situations or events" and that it is "the accumulation of a data base that is solely descriptive-it <br /> does not necessarily seek or explain relationships, test hypotheses, make predictions, or get at <br /> meanings and implications." (p.50) <br /> Case study research is used as the method of inquiry in this study. Yin (2018) notes the <br /> importance of distinguishing research case studies from other less rigorous non-research case <br /> studies referred to as popular case studies or teachingpractice case studies. As in other <br /> research inquiry methods, Yin (2018) notes that research case studies require that"research <br /> inquiries are methodic, demand an acceptable level of discipline, and should exhibit transparency <br /> about their procedures." (p. xxi) <br /> The case study is used as the research method in this inquiry. Yin and Davis (2007) advocate <br /> that a case study is the appropriate method when a researcher seeks to understand a real world <br /> case and assumes that such an understanding is likely to involve important contextual conditions <br /> pertaining to the case. Yin (2018) argues for a twofold definition of the case study that covers <br /> both the scope and features that are characteristic of this method. <br /> 72 <br />