1. Qualitative Research Methods
Case Studies
Qualitative Research Methods

2. Slide Master Your Text here
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3. Case Studies History Roots 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

4. Case Studies
History
Prominently 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 )

5. Case Studies
Defined
Case 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

6. Case Studies
Defined
Bounded 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.

7. Case Studies Defined Bounded 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

8. Case Studies 3 Characteristics
Particularistic: focuses on a particular situation, event, program or phenomenon
Descriptive: the end product is a rich, thick description of the phenomenon being studied

9. Case Studies 3 Characteristics
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

10. 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

11. Case Studies Why Use Case Studies?
Depends on what the researcher wants to know
1. Specific “how” and “why” questions
2. When you have less control of the events

12. Case Studies Why Use Case Studies?
Depends on what the researcher wants to know
3. When variables are so embedded in the situation that they’re impossible to identify ahead of time
4. Uniqueness of the situation

13. Case Studies Types of Case Studies Historical:
The study of the development of a particular phenomenon over time
1. 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)

14. Case Studies Types of Case Studies Observational:
The primary data collection method is participant observation supplemented with formal and informal interviews
(i.e., the staff break room of an org)

15. Case Studies Types of Case Studies Illustrative 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

16. Case Studies Types of Case Studies
Exploratory (or pilot) Case Studies:
Condensed case studies performed before implementing a large scale investigation
1. Basic function is to help identify questions and select types of measurement prior to the main investigation
2. Primary pitfall is that initial findings may seem convincing enough to be released prematurely as conclusions

17. Case Studies Cumulative Case Studies:
Types of Case Studies
Cumulative Case Studies:
Serves to aggregate information from several sites collected at different times
1. The collection of past studies will allow for greater generalization without additional cost or time being expended on new, possibly repetitive studies

18. Case Studies Types of Case Studies Critical 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 assertion
1. Useful for answering cause and effect questions

19. Case Studies Steps Determine topic
Determine type of case study method used and mode of data collection
- Documents
- Archival records
- Interviews
- Direct observation
- Participant observation
- Artifacts

20. Case Studies Steps Select participants Collect data Data Analysis
- Typically done holistically or through coding
Write up report

21. Case Studies Steps Different 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

22. Case Studies Steps Different 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

23. Case Studies Strengths & Weaknesses
The merits of any research design are inherently linked to the rationale for choosing that particular method!

24. Case Studies Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths:
Anchored in real-life situations
Holistic account of the phenomenon
Advances a field’s knowledge base
Flexible
Contextualization of the phenomenon
See slide #10

25. Case Studies Strengths & Weaknesses Weaknesses:
Difficult to generalize
Some say it’s too subjective
May be costly
- hard to rationalize cost in a budget request
4. Some ethical considerations
- financial - researcher integrity
5. Time consuming