1. Research Methods (HK) 2015-16 Phase One
Lecture 5 Case Study Sheffield Hallam University by K S Ho (SCOPE)

2. Case Study
Case study methods involve systematically gathering enough information about a particular person, social setting, event, or group to permit the researcher to effectively understand how it operates or functions (Berg 2009).
A case can be
an individual
a group
an institution
a community
Single cases vs. multiple cases (Gillham 2000)

3. Case Studies Case Study Design Types (Berg 2009)
1. Exploratory case studies
2. Explanatory case studies
3. Descriptive case studies

4. 1. Exploratory Case Studies
Collecting data before defining a research question
2. Explanatory Case Studies
Conducting causal studies
3. Descriptive Case Studies
Presenting a descriptive theory to establish the overall framework

5. Unit of Analysis (Berg 2009)
Individual
Organization
Communities

6. Individual Case Studies
The use of interview data
The use of personal documents

7. Case Studies of Organizations
The systematic gathering of enough information about a particular organization
Equal weight to every aspect of the organization?
Particular emphasis on a specific area?

8. Case Studies of Communities
[Community: geographically delineated unit within a larger society]
Systematic gathering of enough information about a particular community
Equal weight in all of the various aspects of community life?
Specifically focus on some particular aspect?

9. Some Steps of Case Study
Select a site
Where to observe
Levels of Involvement
Gatekeepers
Strategies for Entering
Planning
Negotiation
Disclosure

10. Different Kinds of Evidence (Yin 2014: 103-118)
1. Document
2. Records
3. Interviews
4. ‘Detached’ observation
5. Participant observation
6. Physical artefact

11. A Research Log
Evidence + Personal notes

12. References
呂大樂、龔啓聖合著 《城市縱橫-----香港居民運動及城市政治研究》香港：廣角鏡 (HN755.2.C6 L8)
Ho, Kwok Leung, Polite Politics: A Sociological Analysis of an Urban Protest in Hong Kong. Aldershot: Ashgate. (HN752.5.H6 2000)
Lo, T. Wing, Gang Dynamics: Report of a Study of the Juvenile Delinquency Gang Structure and Subculture in Tung Tau, Hong Kong: Outreaching Service, Caritas (HV7131.L6 v.1 & v.2)
Yin, Robert K Case Study Research: Design and Methods. 4th edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE. (H62.Y )