10.4 Qualitative Research Case Studies Ms. Binns

Learning Outcomes Evaluate the use of case studies in research Explain how a case study could be used to investigate a problem in an organization or group (team, family) Discuss the extent to which findings can be generalized from a single case study

Case Studies An in-depth investigation of human experience One person Family Social group An event An organization Design can be a single case study or multiple case studies which are compared A research strategy that uses many data sources

Willig (2001) Intrinsic case studies Instrumental case studies Represent nothing but themselves Interesting in their own right (wolf children) only one phenomenon which is unusual Instrumental case studies More general phenomenon – losing a child, homeless, illness Any individual that experiences the phenomenon is a useful case in instrumental studies

Willig (2002) Descriptive case studies Explanatory case studies Generate a detailed description of a phenomenon Generates new knowledge Data is not analysed in terms of existing theory Explanatory case studies Aim to describe and find possible explanations for the phenomenon Analysis is based on existing theory or may generate new theory (grounded theory)

Willig (2001) Case studies should always be seen in context Psychological, sociocultural, historical and biological dimensions must be identified and explored Individuals can not be understood in isolation Data collection Semi-structured interviews (most common) Focus groups, letters, diaries, notes, questionnaires observations Triangulation for different perspectives- rich data Conclusions based on multiple sources more trustworthy and accurate

Strengths Allows us to study phenomenon outside of the lab that can not be created in the lab Clive Wearing Permits insights into social processes in a group Group culture, communication, beliefs, attribution Stimulates new research Case studies in brain damaged people started research in memory processes and BLOA Contradicts established theory and helps develop new ones Czech twin study showed that some deprived children were resilient and sparked studies on factors that promote resilience.

Limitations Difficult to define a case study Multiply data collection modalities When does a collection of studies on a topic become a case study? Researcher bias (as in all research) Memory distortions and effects of social desirability Data depends on peoples cognitions (perceptions, memory) and these can be affected by desire to fit in (conformity) and reactivity

Ethical Considerations As participants are either single or small groups it is harder to maintain anonymity and confidentiality Data collection of participants self-reflections may cause psychology harm

Generalization By definition individual case studies can not be replicated (Clive Wearing, HM, little Hans) If evidence from other studies confirms finding then there could be generalization Transferability Results can be generalized to existing theory to support the theory but not to specific populations (Yin, 1994)

Tasks Be a critical thinker p. 374 Be a researcher p. 374 Read p. 376-7 and answer questions Review the learning objectives for case studies at the beginning of the chapter/PP. Create a product (mind map, booklet, poster, electronic flash cards) that will help you answer these objectives.