VCSEwiki:Case study development
What is a case study?
Detailed examination of the single particular issue, case study represents PRACTICAL contribution to the theme based on experience more than readings. It is:
"...complex example which gives an insight into the context of a problem as well as illustrating the main point."[1]
"...based on topics that demonstrate theoretical concepts in an applied setting."[2]
...investigation of the case study is driven by an 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)"Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
...case studies allow to investigate what works and what does not [3]
But it should gather evidence so that it is accessible for subsequent critical assessment (case study is sometimes conceptualized as a form of research or its preliminary stage)!
Types of case studiesCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
- Intrinsic – case study undertaken by an individual who wants to better understand particular case - the case does not represent other cases (driven by interest in particular)
- Instrumental – provides insight into an issue to better understand its principles (driven by interest in theory)
- Collective – number of cases studied jointly to inquire into some issue, helps theorizing about larger collection of cases – basis for naturalistic generalization Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; invalid names, e.g. too many - but some of the case studies present extraordinary activities or endeavors with innovative potential so that they could not be subsumed under some existing conceptual framework!
- on the other hand, these are also suspected to be used as corruptive agent – providing non-reproducible data or information that might demonstrate non-existing qualities - see criticism of the case study method with regard to its validity and reliability.
Writing a case study [3]
In order to write a good case study, you should:
- choose a local issue with global dimension and describe it
- try to express the nature of the case
- find out information about its historical background
- illustrate the physical setting
- express its context (cultural, legal, economic, political, aesthetic, as appropriate)
- find about other cases through which the case could be recognized
Writing process is similar to any other academic discourse - please follow instructions.
Remember
- there should be a clear purpose of the case study and the study should address it - case writing is not pure description of the situation
- it is important that all of the actors that represent potentially diverging interests are involved in the case study and their role is explained
- it should be explained how the case study could be useful for the situations outside its context, because...
- ...your case study will be displayed as an "Example of your work" in the 2010/2011 student case studies and serve the next generation of students.
Use of case studies
- instrumental – lead to prescriptive guidelines, criteria and norms
- emancipatory – provide ideas, suggestions and imagery that sensitize outsiders (process oriented use)
If you want to learn more, you might explore resources and links that we have provided you.
References
- ↑ Fry H, Ketteridge S and Marshall S (1999) A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Kogan Page, Glasgow, pp408
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Corcoran, P. B., Walker, K. E., & Wals, A. E. (2004). Case studies, make-your-case studies, and case stories: a critique of case-study methodology in sustainability in higher education. Environmental Education Research, 10(1), 7–21.
Other resources (rather for teachers :-))
- Case Writing Guide. Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence. Outlines a step-by-stepprocess and provides in-depth guidance on how to organize and presentinformation in the case format.
- Active Learning – Case-Based Learning: http://cte.umdnj.edu/active_learning/active_case.cfm
- 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