VCSEwiki:Case study writing outline

Case study writing is intended to supplement knowledge base by authetic information on site. What are case studies and how should they be used is described in one of our writing manuals (might be reflected and improved within the Summer School).

Our goals:

Basic information on the situation in region is available in the knowledge base. This is objective information, not biased by viewpoints of inviolved actors. In ISPoS summer school, we are going to amend it by these viewpoints in which different interests are manifested.

Starting point

We have the issue to be demonstrated in its social dimension (brown coal mining and related issues). You will see and hear about it within our excursions, lectures, and readings from knowledge base.

Method of work

1. We should visit the small parts of the region (HSK, Jezeří, Horní Jiřetín) and speak with with relevant stakeholders. Thus, we will receive information from real people representing diverse perspectives and interests.
2. Within discussions with real actors and using the interview outline appropriately we should specify the actor and his unique standpoint within the issue under consideration (brown coal mining).
3. To extrapolate the experience and draw a more comprehensive picture of the issue, we need to reflect the most significant features of the actor's story.
4. Based on these interviews -> we could draw case studies as if written by individual actors
5. Result should be description of the situation seen from their specific points of view.

Writing process

1. Fill in the interview outline, extract information, write (in the context of the case study)
2. Amend existing case study (see the Knowledge base) by these stories.

Outcome: case study analysis

Now we have "central case" with its "satelites" - stories narrated by diverse actors. We should:

• analyse relation of these viewpoints to the “objective” issue in the centre of attention.
• we might accomplish also “reframing analysis” of the narratives: apply different perspectives on statements received from actors (see reframing method) -> this analysis should reveal hidden assumptions that shape the narrators' worldviews.