1. Outline: Research Methodology: Case Study - what is case study
Outline: Research Methodology: Case Study - what is case study? - what are the data collection methods? - what are the data analysis methods? - what are the data validity and reliability procedures?
Unless specified by the copyright symbol, the slides presentation are summarized from:
Yin R. K Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, California.

2. Case study – a qualitative study (1)
Section 2: Research methodology
Case study – a qualitative study (1)
An umbrella concept covering several forms of inquiry that help to understand and explain the meaning of social phenomenon with as little disruption of the natural setting as possible
Researchers are interested in the meaning people have constructed, meaning embedded in people experiences
This meaning is mediated through investigator’s own perception

3. Case study – a qualitative study (2)
Usually involves fieldwork
Researcher must physically go to the people, site, setting in order to observe behavior in its natural setting
Primarily employs an inductive research strategy
The research builds abstractions, concepts, hypotheses or theories rather than test existing theory
Hope to find “theory that explains their data” (vs. deductive researchers who hope to find “data to a theory”)

4. Case study – a qualitative study (3)
It is undertaken because there is a lack of theory or existing theory fails to adequately explain a phenomenon
Sample selection is usually (but not always) nonrandom, purposeful, and small
Interest is in discovery rather than confirmation
Is “grounded”, holistic, and lifelike
Can communicate tacit knowledge

5. Case study – typology (1)
Type 1: descriptive
Present a detailed account of the phenomenon under study
A historical case study that chronicles a sequence of events
Atheoretical
A theoretical vacuum
Neither guided by established or hypothesized generalizations nor motivated by a desire to formulate general hypotheses
It comes before hypothesizing or theory testing

6. Case study – typology (2)
Type 2: interpretive (or analytical)
Contains rich description
Different from straightforward descriptive studies by their complexity, depth, and theoretical orientation
Used to
Develop conceptual categories,
Illustrate, support or challenge theoretical assumptions held prior to the data collection
Information is gathered with the intent of analyzing, interpreting, or theorizing about the phenomenon
The level of abstraction may range from suggesting relationships among variables to constructing theory

7. Case study – typology (3)
Type 3: evaluative
Involves description, explanation, and judgment
Use information to produce judgment
Judging is the ultimate act of evaluation

8. Data collection method (1)
Interviews
Structured, semi-structured, unstructured
Depends on whether wording and order of questions are predetermined
Types of good question
Hypothetical: usually begin with “what if” or “suppose”
Devil’s advocate: challenge the respondent to consider an opposing view
Ideal position: ask respondent to describe an ideal situation
Interpretive: ask for a reaction
Types of bad question: multiple, leading, and yes-or-no

9. Data collection method (2)
Archival records / Database
Documentations – reports, forms, procedure, manuals
Direct observation
Participant observation
Physical artifacts/evidence

10. Data analysis method (1)
Pattern-matching
The predicted pattern of specific variables is defined before data collection
Explanation-building
Special type of pattern-matching
To analyze the case study data by building an explanation about the case
Part of a hypothesis-generating process (in exploratory case study)
The goal is not to conclude a study but to develop ideas for further study

11. Data analysis method (2)
Time-series analysis
Program logic models
A combination of pattern-matching and time-series analysis
Pattern being matched is the key cause-effect pattern between independent and dependent variables
Specify a chain of events (pattern) over time (time series), covering these independent variables

12. Validity and reliability
Construct validity
Multiple source of evidence, chain of evidence, data triangulation
External validity
Identify and describe characteristics of the case firm
Verify findings consistency with other findings (if applicable)
Reliability
Case protocol, case study database

13. Case study: controversy
Cannot be generalized (“of course!”)
It is not meant to make generalization
Applications in
Historical case (descriptive type)
Support or challenge theoretical assumptions (analytical type)
@ Celeste, 2004

14. Case study: the flip side of the coin about the controversy
@ Celeste, 2004

15. Application 1: Descriptive type
It is meant to identify and explore
Characteristics
Problems (management, decision) and opportunities (what can be done better)
Success and failure factors
Lesson learnt
Also called discovery case
@ Celeste, 2004

16. Application 2: Analytical type
It is meant to determine and explain “why”
Also called explanatory case
@ Celeste, 2004

17. Application 3: Evaluative type
To formulate new theory
@ Celeste, 2004

18. Grounded theory
The investigator is the primary instrument of data collection and analysis
End result is a theory emerging from (or is “grounded” in) the data
Emphasize in theory development
The theory is substantive rather than “grand” theory
It is useful to practice, has its referent specific, everyday world situation
(Source: Merriam (1998))