Case studies introduction

A case study refers to a series of work activities, event o problem either for real or hypothetical
reasons o situations including the complexities that must be found in the workplace.
Analyzing a case study requires you to practice applying your knowledge and your thinking skills to
a real situation. To learn from a case study analysis, you will be "analysing, applying knowledge,
reasoning and drawing conclusions" (Kardos & Smith 1979).
According to Kardos and Smith (1979) a good case has the following features:
- It is taken from real life (true identities may be concealed).
- It consists of many parts and each part usually ends with problems and points for discussion.
There may not be a clear cut off point to the situation.
- It includes sufficient information for the reader to treat problems and issues.
- It is believable for the reader (the case contains the setting, personalities, sequence of events,
problems and conflicts)
Why participant observation?

Observation studies are superior to experiments and surveys when data are being collected
on non-verbal behavior.

In observation studies, investigators are able to discern ongoing behavior as it occurs and
are able to make appropriate notes about its salient features.

Because case study observations take place over an extended period of time, researchers
can develop more intimate and informal relationships with those they are observing,
generally in more natural environments than those in which experiments and surveys are
conducted.

Case study observations are less reactive than other types of data-gathering methods. For
example, in laboratory-based experiments and in surveys that depend upon verbal responses
to structured questions, bias can be introduced in the very data that researchers are
attempting to study.

Characteristics

Will have temporal characteristics which help to define their nature Have geographical
parameters allowing for their definition

Will have boundaries which allow for definition

May be define by an individual in a particular context at a point in time

May be define by the characteristics of the group

May be define by role or function

May be define by organization or institutions arrangements

Another characteristics this

The number of unit to be studies is small

It studies a social unit deeply and through

Recording observations

Record the notes as quickly as possible after observation, since the quantity of information
forgotten is very slight over a short period of time but accelerates quickly as more time
passes.

Discipline yourself to write notes quickly and reconcile yourself to the fact that although it
may seem ironic, recording of field notes can be expected to take as long as is spent in
actual observation.

Dictating rather than writing is acceptable if one can afford it, but writing has the advantage
of stimulating thought.

Typing field notes is vastly preferable to handwriting because it is faster and easier to read,
especially when making multiple copies.

It is advisable to make at least two copies of field notes and preferable to type on a master
for reproduction. One original copy is retained for reference and other copies can be used as
rough draught to be cut up, reorganized and rewritten.

The notes ought to be full enough adequately to summon up for one again, months later, a
reasonably vivid picture of any described event. This probably means that one ought to be
writing up, at the very minimum, at least a couple of single-space typed pages for every
hour of observation.

definition of case method

a case study is a comprehensive study of social unit of society which may be a person, family group
institution community or even. a case study focuses attention o single unit thoroughly
definition of case study method
1. young case study is a comprehensive study of social unit be it a person a group etc.
2. George and hats. it is a method of exploring and analyzing the life social unit.
3. C.H, COOLEY case study depends our perception and gives clear insight into life directory.

Planning a case study

The particular circumstances of the case, including: the possible disruption to individual
participants that participation might entail; negotiating access to people; negotiating
ownership of the data; negotiating release of the data.

The conduct of the study, including: the use of primary and secondary sources; the
opportunities to check data; triangulation (including peer examination of the findings,
respondent validation and reflexivity); data collection methods in the interpretive
paradigm, case studies tend to use certain data collection methods, e.g. semi-structured and
open interviews, observation, narrative accounts and documents, diaries, maybe also tests,
rather than other methods, e.g. surveys, experiments.

The consequences of the research (for participants). This might include the anonymizing of
the research in order to protect participants, though such anonymization might suggest that
a primary goal of case study is generalization rather than the portrayal of a unique case, i.e.
it might go against a central feature of case study.

Writing up a case study

In the suspense structure the author presents the main findings (e.g. an executive summary)
in the opening part of the report and then devotes the remainder of the report to providing
evidence, analysis, explanations and justifications

In the narrative report a prose account is provided, interspersed with relevant figures,
tables, emergent issues, analysis and conclusion.

In the comparative structure the same case is examined through two or more lenses (e.g.
explanatory, descriptive, theoretical) in order either to provide a rich, all-round account of
the case, or to enable the reader to have sufficient information from which to judge which
of the explanations, descriptions or theories best fit(s) the data.

In the chronological structure a simple sequence or chronology is used as the organizational

principle, thereby enabling not only cause and effect to be addressed, but also possessing
the strength of an ongoing story. Adding to Robsons (2002) comments, the chronology can
be sectionalized as appropriate (e.g. key events or key time frames), and intersperse
commentaries on, interpretations of and explanations for, and summaries of emerging issues
as events unfold (e.g. akin to memoing in ethnographic research).
Conclusion

The different strategies we have illustrated in our six examples of case studies in a variety
of educational settings suggest that participant observation is best thought of as a generic
term that describes a methodological approach rather than one specific method.

What our examples have shown is that the representativeness of a particular sample often
relates to the observational strategy open to the researcher. Generally speaking, the larger
the sample, the more representative it is, and the more likely that the observers role is of a
participant nature.