VCSEwiki:Case study development

What is a case study?

Case study represents PRACTICAL contribution to the theme based on experience more than readings.

"...complex example which gives an insight into the context of a problem as well as illustrating the main point." (Fry et al, 1999)

"...are based on topics that demonstrate theoretical concepts in an applied setting." (Davis & Wilcock, 2003)

investigation of it is driven by interest in indivudual cases, not by the methods of inquiry, as it "...focuses on a single actor, single enterprise etc. usually under natural conditions so that to understand it (bounded system in its natural habitat)" (Dillon & Reid, 2004).

But it should gather evidence so that it is accessible for subsequent critical assessment (case study is sometimes conceptualized as a form of research)!

In order to write a good case study, you should:

• choose a local issue with global dimension and describe it - it will be included as a Case Study as an annex of Globalisation 2010/2011 Themes
• you might explore resources and links that we have provided you - case writing is not pure description of the situation. In order that somebody could learn from it, you have to observe some basic principles.

Resources

• Active Learning – Case-Based Learning: http://cte.umdnj.edu/active_learning/active_case.cfm
• Case Writing Guide. Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence. Outlines a step-by-step process and provides in-depth guidance on how to organize and present information in the case format.
• The Case Method of Teaching Science http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/teaching/teaching.html
• Teaching Materials Using Case Studies http://www.materials.ac.uk/guides/casestudies.asp
• Teaching Strategies: Case-based Teaching http://www.crlt.umich.edu/tstrategies/tscbt.html

Literature used

• Davis, C. & Wilcock, E. (2003) Teaching Materials Using Case Studies. The UK Centre for Materials Education. Available from http://www.materials.ac.uk/guides/casestudies.asp
• Dillon, J., & Reid, A. (2004). Issues in case-study methodology in investigating environmental and sustainability issues in higher education: towards a problem-based approach? Environmental Education Research, 10(1), 23–37.
• Fry H, Ketteridge S and Marshall S (1999) A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Kogan Page, Glasgow, pp408