Qualitative Research MethodsQualitative Research MethodsCase StudiesCase Studies

Slide Master• Your Text here

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Case Studies• HistoryRoots in anthropology, sociology and

psychology

During 60’s & 70’s researchers looked for alternatives to standard qualitative methods

- Evolved during the 80’s as accepted method

Case Studies• HistoryProminently used by physicians, historians,

social workers, teachers, etc., as a learning tool:

Through careful examination and discussion of various cases, “[researchers] learn to identify actual problems, to recognize key players and their agendas, and to become aware of those aspects of the situation that contribute to the problem. . ." (Merseth, 1991 in http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/research/casestudy/com2a3.cfm )

Case Studies• DefinedCase Study: an in-depth description

and analysis of a bounded system

:the collection and presentation of detailed information about a particular participant or small group, frequently including the accounts of subjects themselves

Case Studies• DefinedBounded system: a single entity, a

unit around which there are boundaries

Edge of the case

Heart of the study

The phenomenon examined must be bounded in order to be a case.

Case Studies• DefinedBounded system example:Qualitative study: How older people learn

to use a computer

Case study: How one older person learns to use a computer- one particular program

- one classroom of learners

Case Studies• 3 Characteristics1.Particularistic: focuses on a

particular situation, event, program or phenomenon

2.Descriptive: the end product is a rich, thick description of the phenomenon being studied

Case Studies• 3 Characteristics3. Heuristic: the cases studied illuminate

the reader’s understanding of the phenomenon under study

- brings about the discovery of new meanings- extend the reader’s experience

- confirm what is already known

Case Studies• Why Use Case Studies?Knowledge is:

- More concrete- More contextual- More developed by reader interpretation- Based more on reference populations determined by the reader

Case Studies• Why Use Case Studies?Depends on what the researcher

wants to know

1. Specific “how” and “why” questions2. When you have less control of

the events

Case Studies• Why Use Case Studies?Depends on what the researcher

wants to know3. When variables are so embedded in the situation that

they’re impossible to identify ahead of time

4. Uniqueness of the situation

Case Studies• Types of Case StudiesHistorical:The study of the development of a

particular phenomenon over time1. Holistic analysis and description from a historical perspective 2. Preferred when there’s virtually no access or control(i.e. an evening school for working adults in the early 1900s)

Case Studies• Types of Case StudiesObservational:The primary data collection method is

participant observation supplemented with formal and informal interviews

(i.e., the staff break room of an org)

Case Studies• Types of Case StudiesIllustrative Case Studies: Primarily descriptive studies

1. Utilizes one or two instances of an event to show what a situation is like

2. Tries to make the unfamiliar familiar and to give readers a common language about the topic in

question

Case Studies• Types of Case StudiesExploratory (or pilot) Case Studies:Condensed case studies performed before

implementing a large scale investigation1. Basic function is to help identify questions and select types of measurement prior to the main investigation2. Primary pitfall is that initial findings may seem convincing enough to be released prematurely as conclusions

Case Studies• Types of Case StudiesCumulative Case Studies:Serves to aggregate information from

several sites collected at different times1. The collection of past studies will allow for greater generalization without additional cost or time being expended on new, possibly repetitive studies

Case Studies• Types of Case StudiesCritical Instance Case Studies:Examines one or more sites for either the

purpose of examining a situation of unique interest with little to no interest in generalizability, or to call into question or challenge a highly generalized or universal assertion1. Useful for answering cause and effect

questions

Case Studies• Steps1. Determine topic2. Determine type of case study method

used and mode of data collection- Documents- Archival records- Interviews- Direct observation- Participant observation- Artifacts

Case Studies• Steps3. Select participants4. Collect data5. Data Analysis

- Typically done holistically or through coding

6. Write up report

Case Studies• StepsDifferent ways of presentation:• Replace narrative sections with a series

of answers to open-ended questions• Present "skimmer's" summaries at

beginning of each section• Incorporate headlines that encapsulate

information from text

Case Studies• StepsDifferent ways of presentation:• Prepare analytic summaries with

supporting data appendixes• Present data in colorful and/or unique

graphic representations• Prepare specialized condensations for

appropriate groups

Case Studies• Strengths & Weaknesses

The merits of any research design are inherently linked to the rationale for choosing that particular method!

Case Studies• Strengths & WeaknessesStrengths:1. Anchored in real-life situations2. Holistic account of the phenomenon3. Advances a field’s knowledge base4. Flexible5. Contextualization of the phenomenon6. See slide #10

Case Studies• Strengths & WeaknessesWeaknesses:1. Difficult to generalize2. Some say it’s too subjective3. May be costly

- hard to rationalize cost in a budget request4. Some ethical considerations

- financial - researcher integrity5. Time consuming