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Table of content
2
Introduction
Designing the case study
Conducting case study: Preparing for data collection
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Introduction (1/2)
Reasons for traditional
mutually exclusive)
Explanatory
Exploratory
Descriptive
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Introduction (2/2)
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Forms of research
quesiton
Requires control of
behavior events?
Focuses on
contemporary
events?
Experiments
How. Why
Yes
Yes
Survey
No
Yes
Archival analysis
No
Yes/ no
History
How. Why.
No
No
Case study
How. Why
No
Yes
The essence of a case study, the central tendency among all types of case study, is that
it tries to illuminate a decision or set of decisions; why they were taken; how there
were implemented; and with what results. (Schramm, 1971)
A case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon
within its real- life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and
context are not clearly evident (Yin, 1981)
Prepared by Pavan Soni (IIM Bangalore)
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A studys question
Its propositions (purpose in the
case of exploratory case)
Its unit of analysis
The logic linking the data to
propositions (through patternmatching)
Criteria for interpreting the
findings
Necessary conditions
Construct validity
Internal validity
External validity
Reliability
Role of theory
Essential to construct a
preliminary theory (unlike in
ethnography and grounded
theory)
Requires theoretical propositions
(even for exploratory research)
Helps generalize from case study
to theory
Analytical generalization and not
statistical generalization
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Design parameters
Tests
Definition
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Case study tactic
Construct
validity
Correct
operational
measure for
concepts
Data collection
Data collection
Composition
Internal
validity
Establishing a
non- spurious
causal relationship
(only for
explanatory )
Do pattern matching
Do explanation building
Address rival explanation
Use logic models
Data collection
Data collection
Data collection
Data collection
External
validity
Establishing the
domain for
generalization
Research design
Research design
Reliability
Repeatability of
operations of the
case study
Data collection
Data collection
Relevant phase
of research
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study design
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study research
Training requirements
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I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Preparation period
Arrangement of site visit
Conduct of site visit
Follow- up activities
Preparation of case study report
Submission of draft report to
site for review
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IV.
Discussion of relevant
theoretical framework and
literature
Development or review of
hypothetical logic model, if
relevant
In- depth discussion of protocol
topics
IV.
V.
VI.
V.
VI.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Fieldwork procedure
Use of evidence
Note taking and other field
practices
Other orienting topics
Background information
Substantive issues to be investigated
Relevant readings about the issue
purpose of protocol
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From an
individual
About an
individual
Individual behavior
Individual attitudes
Individual perceptions
About an
How organizations work
organization Why organizations work
From an
organization
Study
conclusion
Archival records
Other reporters
behavior, attitudes, and
perceptions
If case study is
an individual
Personal policies
Organizational outcomes
If case study is
an organization
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Forms
Strengths
Weaknesses
Letters, memoranda,
communications, agendas,
announcements, minutes of
meetings, written reports on
events, administrative
documents (proposals,
progress reports, internal
records), formal studies,
newspaper clippings
Retrievability- can be
low
Biased selectively, if
collection is incomplete
Reporting bias- reflects
bias of authors
Access- may be
deliberately blocked
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Forms
Strengths
Weaknesses
Service records,
organizational records,
maps and charts, lists,
survey data, and personal
records
Retrievability- can be
low
Biased selectively, if
collection is incomplete
Reporting bias- reflects
bias of authors
Access- may be
deliberately blocked
Accessibility due to
privacy reasons
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Forms
Strengths
Weaknesses
Guided conversations,
instead of structured
queries. Important to 1)
follow your own line of
inquiry, as reflected by the
case protocol; 2) to ask
actual conversational
questions in an unbiased
manner.
Open ended questions
(espousing facts and
opinions). Could even be a
focused, short interview.
Surveys.
Targeted- focused
directly on the case
study topic
Insightful- provides
perceived causal
inferences
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Forms
Strengths
Behavior or environmental
Reality- covers
conditions worth observing
information in the real
at a site. Ranges from formal time
to casual data collection
Contextual- covers
activities.
context of the event
Have more than a single
observer.
Weaknesses
Time consuming
Selectivity- unless
broad coverage
Reflexivity- event may
proceed differently
because it is being
observed
Cost- hours needed by
human observation
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Forms
Strengths
Reality- covers
Time consuming
information in the real Selectivity- unless
time
broad coverage
Contextual- covers
Reflexivity- event may
context of the event
proceed differently
Insightful into personal
because it is being
behaviors and motives
observed
Cost- hours needed by
human observation
Bias due to
investigators
manipulation of events
Weaknesses
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Forms
Strengths
A technological device, a
Insightful into cultural
tool or instrument, a work of features
art, or some other physical
Insightful into
evidence
technical operations
Weaknesses
Selectivity
Availability
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1.
2.
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3.
Increases reliability
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explanations
Craft rivals
The null hypothesis
Threats to validity
Investigators bias
Relying on theoretical
propositions
Theoretical orientation
guiding analysis
Developing a case
description
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Pattern matching
Compares an empirically
based pattern with a
predicted one to
strengthen internal
validity
Non- equivalent
dependent variable as a
pattern
Rival explanations as
patterns
Simpler patterns
Explanation building
Relevant to explanatory
case studies
Iterative nature of
explanation building
Risk of drifting away from
the original topic of
interest
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Logic models
Stipulates a complex chain of
events over time
Staged in repeated causeeffect relationship
Analysis can also entertain
rival chains of events, and
spurious external events
Could be individual level or
organizational level logic
model
Cross- case synthesis
Pattern matching using word
tables
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Key elements
Targeting case study reports
Case study reports as part of
the larger multi-method
studies
Illustrative structures for
case study compositions
Procedures to be followed in
doing a case study report
And, in conclusion,
speculations on the
characteristics of an
exemplary case study
report
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Approach
Explan Descri
atory
ptive
Explo
ratory
Comparative
Chronological
Theory building
Suspense
Unsequenced
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procedure
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