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8/9/2019 Qualitative Research Raw

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CASE STUDY


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What: Case studies

are written summaries or syntheses of real-lifecasesbased upon data and research

require you to isolate and think through the keyissues involved against both theory and thelarger comparative environment

identify appropriate strategies for the resolutionof the 'case'

weight the pros and cons of the remedialoptions/strategies

recommend and present a rationale for the bestresolution


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Definition:

Documented study of a specific real-lifesituation or imagined scenario, used as

a training tool in business schools andfirms.

Students are required to analyze theprescribed cases and present theirinterpretations or solutions, supportedby the line of reasoning employed andassumptions made.


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Assumptions

1. Cases selected based on dimensions of a theory (pattern-matching) or on

diversity on a dependent phenomenon (explanation-building).

2. No generalization to a population beyond cases similar to those studied.

3. Conclusions should be phrased in terms of model elimination, not model

validation. Numerous alternative theories may be consistent with data

gathered from a case study.

4. Case study approaches have difficulty in terms of evaluation of low-

probability causal paths in a model as any given case selected for study

may fail to display such a path, even when it exists in the larger population

of potential cases.


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Types: Snapshot

Objective study of research entity at one point

Longitudinal Objective study of research entity at multiple point

Pre post The study of research entity at two point separated by

critical event

Patchwork A set of multiple case studies of the same research entity

Comparative A set of multiple case studies of the multiple research

entity for the purpose of cross unit comparison.


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Developing a CaseStudy

1) All data about the case is gathered.

Data could result from a combination of methods, including

documentation (applications, histories, records, etc.),

questionnaires, interviews and observation.

2) Data is organized into an approach to highlight the focus of

the study.

In our example, data in the case would be organized in a

chronological order to portray how the client got into the program,

went through the program and did not receive effective services.


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3) A case study narrative is developed.

The narrative is a highly readable story that integrates and summarizes

key information around the focus of the case study and should be

complete to the extent that it is the eyes and ears for an outside reader to

understand what happened regarding the case.

4) The narrative might be validated by review from program participants.

For example, the client for whom the program failed, would read the

narrative to ensure it fully depicted his or her experience and results.

5) Case studies might be cross-compared to isolate any themes or patterns.

For example, various case studies about program failures might be

compared to notice commonalities in these clients' experiences and how

they went through the program.


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Uses of Case Studies

Useful in depicting a holistic portrayal of a client's experiences

and results regarding a program.

Used to organize a wide range of information about a case andthen analyze the contents by seeking patterns and themes in

the data, and by further analysis through cross comparison

with other cases.

A case can be individuals, programs, or any unit, depending on

what the program evaluators want to examine through in-depth

analysis and comparison.

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