VCSEwiki:Case study development: Difference between revisions

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== What is a case study? ==
== What is a case study? ==          
Case study represents PRACTICAL contribution to the theme based on experience more than readings.
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)
"...'''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)  
"...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).
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).
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case studies allow to investigate what works and what does not (Corcoran et al., 2002)
case studies allow to investigate what works and what does not (Corcoran et al., 2002)


But it should gather evidence so that it is accessible for subsequent critical assessment (case study is sometimes conceptualized as a '''form of research''')!  
But it should gather evidence so that it is accessible for subsequent critical assessment (case study is sometimes conceptualized as a '''form of research''')!        
==Types of case studies (Dillon & Reid, 2004)==
==Types of case studies (Dillon & Reid, 2004)==          
* ´´´Intrinsic´´´ – case study undertaken by an individual who wants to better understand particular case (does not represent other cases)
* '''Intrinsic''' – case study undertaken by an individual who wants to better understand particular case (does not represent other cases)
* ´´´Instrumental´´´ – provides insight into an issue, deepens understanding about underlying principles
* '''Instrumental''' – provides insight into an issue, deepens understanding about underlying principles          
* ´´´Collective´´´ – number of cases studied jointly to inquire into some issue, helps theorizing about larger collection of cases – naturalistic generalization
* '''Collective''' – number of cases studied jointly to inquire into some issue, helps theorizing about larger collection of cases – naturalistic generalization
* 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
* 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, they also might be used as corruptive agent – providing non-reproducible data or information might demonstrate non-existing qualities
* on the other hand, they are also suspected to be used as corruptive agent – providing non-reproducible data or information might demonstrate non-existing qualities - see [[criticism of the case study method]] with regard to its validity and reliability.
== Writing a case study ==
== Writing a case study (Corcoran et al, 2002)==
In order to write a good case study, you should:
In order to write a good case study, you should:          
* choose a local issue with global dimension and describe it
* choose a local issue with global dimension and describe it
* try to express the nature of the case
* try to express the nature of the case          
* find out information about its historical background
* find out information about its historical background
* illustrate the physical setting
* illustrate the physical setting          
* express its context (cultural, legal, economic, political, aesthetic, as appropriate)
* express its context (cultural, legal, economic, political, aesthetic, as appropriate)
* find about other cases through which the case could be recognized
* find about other cases through which the case could be recognized          


===Remember (Corcoran et al, 2002)===
See also [http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/pdf/CaseWritingGuide.pdf Case Writing Guide]
* there should be a clear purpose of the case study and the study should address it
===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 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...
* it should be explained how the case study could be useful for the situations outside its context, because...        
* ...your case study will be included as a Case Study in students´ part of the [[Globalisation 2010/2011 Case Studies]] and serve the next generation of students
* ...your case study will be included as a Case Study in students´ part of the [[Globalisation 2010/2011 Case Studies]] and serve the next generation of students    
* 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. 


===Use of case studies (Corcoran et al, 2002)===
If you want to learn more, you might explore resources and links that we have provided you. 
* instrumental – lead to prescriptive guidelines, criteria and norms
 
===Use of case studies ===
* instrumental – lead to prescriptive guidelines, criteria and norms          
* emancipatory – provide ideas, suggestions and imagery that sensitize outsiders (process oriented use)
* emancipatory – provide ideas, suggestions and imagery that sensitize outsiders (process oriented use)


== Literature used ==
== 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
* [http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/pdf/CaseWritingGuide.pdf 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.
* 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.
* 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
* Fry H, Ketteridge S and Marshall S (1999) A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Kogan Page, Glasgow, pp408


== Other resources==
=== Other resources (rather for teachers :-))===
* '''Active Learning – Case-Based Learning''': [http://cte.umdnj.edu/active_learning/active_case.cfm http://cte.umdnj.edu/active_learning/active_case.cfm]
* '''Active Learning – Case-Based Learning''': [http://cte.umdnj.edu/active_learning/active_case.cfm http://cte.umdnj.edu/active_learning/active_case.cfm]          
* [http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/pdf/CaseWritingGuide.pdf Case WritingGuide]. ''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.
* The Case Method of Teaching Science [http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/teaching/teaching.html http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/teaching/teaching.html]          
* The Case Method of Teaching Science [http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/teaching/teaching.html http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/teaching/teaching.html]
* Teaching Materials Using Case Studies [http://www.materials.ac.uk/guides/casestudies.asp http://www.materials.ac.uk/guides/casestudies.asp]        
* Teaching Materials Using Case Studies [http://www.materials.ac.uk/guides/casestudies.asp http://www.materials.ac.uk/guides/casestudies.asp]  
* Teaching Strategies: Case-based Teaching [http://www.crlt.umich.edu/tstrategies/tscbt.html http://www.crlt.umich.edu/tstrategies/tscbt.html]
* Teaching Strategies: Case-based Teaching [http://www.crlt.umich.edu/tstrategies/tscbt.html http://www.crlt.umich.edu/tstrategies/tscbt.html]
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