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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

Designing a case study

Case studies are problem situations based on real life like situations, the outcome of the case is already known (at least to the lecturer).

Cees van WestenInternational Institute

for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation

(ITC), Enschede, The Netherlands.E-mail: westen@itc.nl

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

When are case studies used?

Before the theoretical part is given:to introduce the subjects and skills that will be taught later and to show the relevance of these subjects and skills and/orfor self-discovery of theories, procedures, skills, etc.

After or parallel to lectures (mostly):to provide practice and/orto integrate separately taught subjects and skillsto replace lectures and practicals: students learn the required subjects and skills (often technical cases)

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

Task of the student:

solve the problem or decide what decision must be taken (identify the problem, analyze the problem, design a plan to solve the problem or come to a decision, execute the plan)evaluate the case and the choose a solution. The case is presented including the chosen solution or decision. Students are asked to explain why things have happened, why certain actions have been taken, how good the chosen solution is, etc.

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Steps

a) Define the objectives of the case studyb) Define the time available and levelc) Define whether it will include GIS or not?d) Define study area?

2. Structuring the solution3. Collection of data4. Preparing correct GIS data set5. Doing the analysis 6. Writing up the instruction steps7. Testing out the case study & adapt8. Finalizing the case study

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study? Step 1a Objectives

What do you want your students to achieve (e.g):application of theory, models, procedures in real life situationorientation on real life situations. To learn to deal with complicated situations which are less ideal and less structured as presented in class.problem solving skills

identification of problemanalysis of problemselection of relevant theory, procedures, etc.design alternative solutionsselect solutiondesign work planimplement solutionpredict consequences

selection of relevant infooral or written presentation skillstechnical / professional skills

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study? Step 1a Objectives

What do you want your students to achieve (e.g):Understanding basic concepts of hazards, vulnerability and risk.More understanding of hazards(Flood, landslide, earthquake, forest fires, volcanic etc.)Knowledge on hazard assessment techniquesKnowledge on risk assessment techniquesSkills in using GISUnderstanding of the importance of hazards and risk in the planning process

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study? Step 1a Objectives

A case study can have very different objectives:Examples:

The students should be able to use Remote Sensing for hazard monitoring using digital data.The students should be able to use GIS for hazard assessmentThe students should be able to use GIS for setting up an urban database for vulnerability assessment.The students should be able to carry out a risk assessment at municipal levelThe students should be able to understand methods for data integration using a GIS, concentrating on urban planning in a disaster prone area.

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 1b. Define the available time and level.

Level of analysis:level 1: Both the problem and the plan how to solve the problem are given. Execute the plan. level 2: Only the problem is given. Design a work plan (flowchart) and execute the plan.

Level of presentation:level 1: fully worked out steps are given: COOKBOOK structurelevel 2: longer description and reasonably well structured information

Level of complexity:Depends on the number of theories, models, procedures, skills that are needed to solve the case.

The more difficult the case is, the more time students will need for the case and the more time you will need to provide feedback.

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 1c. With or without GIS?

You don’t need GIS in order to let the students work out the theory.The time may not be sufficient to include hands on experience with GIS in a case studyThe students may not have sufficient skills to work with GIS. In that case the aim of the case study will not be achieved, because the students will see the aim as to learn GIS.You may also present them a problem on paper, but the analysis shouldn’t involve map overlaying operations.

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 1d. Study area?Real case study area:

Do you have enough data?Are you allowed to use the data?Is the result realistic?Can it be linked to field visit, and literature study.Are you familiar enough with the area, the problem and the data ?Generally more appreciated

Hypothetical case studyWhen you don’t have enough data (just invent ideal data)Allows to fully explain methods without being bothered by reality. Games.May be more academic and less applied

MIXED REAL AND HYPOTHETICAL IS ALSO POSSIBLE

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 2. Structuring the solution?Based upon flow chart!!

Which input data do you need?Which steps are taken to analyze the data?What are the intermediate results?What is the final result.Are there different ways to solve the problem?

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

Objective: find the most suitable site for a new waste disposal for the cityRules:1. Not be built on landslides which are active or which may become active in the

future2. Should be located on a terrain with a slope less than 20 degrees, to prevent

erosion and to assure accessibility3. Should only be constructed in areas, which do not have an important economic or

ecological value4. Should be located within 2 km distance from the city centre of Chinchina, but

further than 300 meters from any existing built-up area5. Should be constructed on clay-rich soils, with a minimum thickness of 5 meters

and permeability lower than 0.05 meters/day6. Should have an area of at least 1-ha

Example: Planning a waste disposal siteCase study from Chinchina, Colombia

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

Slope a slope map of the study area with slopes indicated in degrees, derived from a digital elevation model (DEM)Landuse a landuse map of the study area, derived from the classification of a SPOT multispectral image, improved with an air photo-interpretation and fieldworkGeol a geological map of the study area derived from existing geological maps and fieldwork Slide a landslide distribution map of the area, derived from photo-interpretation. The landslides are classified according to their activity into three categories: Stable, Dormant and Active.City a map displaying the centre of the city of Chinchina, derived from the topographic map and photo-interpretation Borehole a table containing the generalized borehole data, with the location of the borehole, the lithology, the thickness of overburden, its percentage of clay and its permeabilityRoad a vector map containing the major roads in the area

Case study: Planning a waste disposal siteData required:

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

Case study: Planning a waste disposal siteFlowchart of the methodology:

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

Boolean Logic Model (good or bad)Index Overlay Model

Binary evidence mapsIndex Overlay with Multi-class maps

Fuzzy Logic ModelFuzzy ANDFuzzy ORFuzzy Algebraic ProductFuzzy Algebraic SumFuzzy Gamma Operation

Case study: Planning a waste disposal siteDifferent methods are used and the results compared:

unsuitablemoderately suitablesuitable

unsuitablemoderately suitablesuitable

unsuitableless unsuitablemoderately suitablesuitable

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 3. Collection of dataReal case study area:

Generally don’t make a case study for an area for which you have no data available.Mostly case studies are based on previous studies, by University staff or students.Type of data depends on objectives of case study

Hypothetical case studyInvent ideal data: may seem more easier than it is. Consistency!!

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 4. Preparing correct GIS dataset

Digitizing of analog data.Conversion of existing digital data.Bringing all data into same coordinate system &georeferenceSimplifying dataGenerating required input data (students should not do all steps , e.g. DTM from contour lines)Accuracy and consistency assessment of data sets

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 4. Preparing correct GIS dataset

Digitizing of analog data.Conversion of existing digital data.Bringing all data into same coordinate system &georeferenceSimplifying dataGenerating required input data (students should not do all steps , e.g. DTM from contour lines)Accuracy and consistency assessment of data sets

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 5. Do the analysis

Follow the flowchart as much as possible.Adapt the flowchart if neededKeep track of everything you do (log book)Fully describe the data (properties)Define if you want the students to have intermediate results, if the case study is made of several parts. If so save the intermediate resultsBest practice for experienced case study developers:Write simultaneously while doing the exercise.

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 6. Write the assignment

Based on the level you have chosen: cookbook or not?Follow standard format:

TitleAcknowledgement (for data)DisclaimerIntroductionObjectivesData requiredFlowchart (if you select to include that)Separate clearly reading text from actual actions on the computer.Literature

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How do you design a case study?Step 7. Check the case study assignment

First go through the case study yourself, and correctThen ask colleagues to go through it.A case study always needs to be tested extensively.

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

How can you get help with your case study?

Read, and do, the case studies that have been provided on the CASITA blackboard site.Contact colleagues

University colleaguesCASITA colleaguesADPC, ENSG or ITC

We can help you, if you show us the data.FTP site:Ftp://ftp.itc.nl Directory: pub/westen/casitaUserId: ftpguest Password: ftp4you

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

GIS & RS case study available on Blackboard site of CASITA from Asia

• Flood hazard assessment: Bangladesh• Coastal hazard assessment: Bangladesh

• Landslide hazard assessment: Kakani, Nepal• Volcanic hazard assessment: Pinatubo, Phillipines•Seismic hazard assessment: Kathmandu, Nepal•Liquefaction hazard assessment: Bhuj, India

ILWIS 2.1 concepts

Discussion points

Should a case study be:

Dealing with a real area Hypothetical

Simplified Complicated

Academic Applied

Using GIS On paper

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ILWIS 2.1 concepts

Group work:

a) Define the objectives of the case studyb) Define the time available and levelc) Define whether it will include GIS or not?d) Define study area?

2. Structuring the solution using a flowchart

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