This can be defined as our intensive investigation about pertinent aspects of a particular unit in
a given situation. This unit of investigation can be an individual, a family, a group of individuals or families, educational or social institutions, a community or a culture, a village, a tribe, a slum area, or even a hotel unit, a bank or group of banks or hotel etc. Whatever the unit is, it is treated as a whole in the context of specific situations.
a given situation. This unit of investigation can be an individual, a family, a group of individuals or families, educational or social institutions, a community or a culture, a village, a tribe, a slum area, or even a hotel unit, a bank or group of banks or hotel etc. Whatever the unit is, it is treated as a whole in the context of specific situations.
This wholeness is determined through an abstraction of ideas. A case study conducted on individuals may be linked with the processes of growth and development of a child, the behaviour of gifted children, psycho- analysis of a problem child, role of a leader in a specific social movement, the role of a manager in a company, etc.
Case studies are conducted for developing deeper understanding of intricate relationships existing in the process – aspects of a specific unit or unit through qualitative investigation. It is not very different from naturalistic methods. This is why most of the times; it is treated as kind of naturalistic research.
include:
by the naturalists are also followed in case study. But the following steps are very significant.
i. Selection of a case for investigation: In selecting your case for investigation, there are some basic questions:
a. Are you interested in the study of a normal situation with a view to developing deeper in the phenomenon?
b. Are you determined to solve the problems of a typical institution?
c. Are you assigned the job of evaluating the functioning of an institution?
d. Are you interested in identifying the underlying factors contributing to the excellent performance of an institution?
Case studies are conducted for developing deeper understanding of intricate relationships existing in the process – aspects of a specific unit or unit through qualitative investigation. It is not very different from naturalistic methods. This is why most of the times; it is treated as kind of naturalistic research.
Characteristics of Case Study Method
Certain specific characteristics shown by the procedural aspect of a full-pledged case studyinclude:
- Continuity in investigation: A continuous and prolonged enquiry about the situations is very necessary till the underlying factors are explored and plausible patterns of their interaction or relationship are identified. For example, if you want to study the problems militating against learners support services in the Open University, NOUN for instance, you will see that is not something you can study in one ego. You have to take prolonged inquires.
- Completeness: A sound case study must involve extensive collection of data from internal and external environment of the unit under study. Data collection will continue till the completeness of data is ensured and a complete picture emerges.
- Authenticity of Data: A case study report must be based on meaningful, reliable and valid information about the case. Appropriate applications of both qualitative and quantitative methods like interviews, observations, records, surveys and the administration of tests and questionnaires can be made. The use of multi-techniques approaches to data collection and cross examination of data through different methods can take care of the authenticity of data.
- Confidential recording: All data involving personal and ethnical issues like relationships of teachers and pupils with the management, discipline, confidential records, documents about the institutions etc, must be handled tactfully and care must be taken to maintain their secrecy.
- Intellectual synthesis: You know that case study involves multi-method of inquiry and deals with all significant situations concerning the unit, appropriate synthesis of the data is very necessary in order to show the uniqueness of the unit and to explore significant relationships. If you are skilled in the investigation with theoretical sophistication, insightfulness and writing skills, then you can do justice and prepare a sound case study.
Main Steps in Case Study
Case study method is sometimes treated as a naturalistic inquiry in that, the same steps followedby the naturalists are also followed in case study. But the following steps are very significant.
i. Selection of a case for investigation: In selecting your case for investigation, there are some basic questions:
a. Are you interested in the study of a normal situation with a view to developing deeper in the phenomenon?
b. Are you determined to solve the problems of a typical institution?
c. Are you assigned the job of evaluating the functioning of an institution?
d. Are you interested in identifying the underlying factors contributing to the excellent performance of an institution?
Once you have identified the case, then you need to determine the status of the case based on preliminary information collected about the background of the case.
ii.Data Collection: The process of data collection can be through both qualitative and quantitative techniques like observations, interviews, check lists, Performa, open ended questionnaires, surveys, records, psychological tests etc. Personal interaction should come first. Then care must be taken to make sure that only tools relevant to the case are used.
iii. Analysis of first round data: This is done systematically in order to identify the more complicated situations or problems and therefore raise important questions about the influential factors.
iv. Second Round Investigation: This is conducted for these specific questions or factors which are identified during the first round data analysis. This second round involves intensive investigation through prolonged observations. Formal and informal interviews, questionnaires, cross-examination of different documents and record, administration of specific test etc. After this round analysis and interpretations of data begin.
v. Introduction of alternative measures: This is mostly done in clinical studies where most of the suitable alternatives as hypothesized through investigations are introduced.
vi. Follow-up activities: The effectiveness of the alternative measures introduced should be investigated. This will give a feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the corrective measures.
that case study is useful in the exploration of knowledge related to a single unit but has no scope to test hypothesis or confirm any evidence. This limitation of the case study cannot undermine its meaningfulness in the process of generating knowledge. Moreover, it accommodates the process of hypothesizing in a manner different from that o survey and experimental studies.
i. Generating hypothesis in case studies: Hypotheses are stated in the form of questions or statements related to the various aspects of the process. These hypotheses are tested or confirmed using qualitative method in the given context of the investigation.
ii. Testing hypotheses in the case study method: This follows a qualitative approach.
This involves your insight into an impressionistic view about the process under investigation. But data processed in quantitative terms can be integrated with qualitative treatment for developing a holistic perspective regarding the case.
iii. Generalization of case study findings: The process of evidence-generalization here depends on several considerations. These include the nature of the case study, the theoretical framework generated, and the extent of objectivity possible. There also possibilities of considering the findings of a case which are significantly similar to another case that will be studied at a later stage. There are also situations where studies of different cases can be useful in developing a new trend.
you have many of the qualitative research methods to choose from any time you feel. But if
you are in love with the quantitative methods, you wait for the next unit where you are gong to
be exposed to the major ones.
ii.Data Collection: The process of data collection can be through both qualitative and quantitative techniques like observations, interviews, check lists, Performa, open ended questionnaires, surveys, records, psychological tests etc. Personal interaction should come first. Then care must be taken to make sure that only tools relevant to the case are used.
iii. Analysis of first round data: This is done systematically in order to identify the more complicated situations or problems and therefore raise important questions about the influential factors.
iv. Second Round Investigation: This is conducted for these specific questions or factors which are identified during the first round data analysis. This second round involves intensive investigation through prolonged observations. Formal and informal interviews, questionnaires, cross-examination of different documents and record, administration of specific test etc. After this round analysis and interpretations of data begin.
v. Introduction of alternative measures: This is mostly done in clinical studies where most of the suitable alternatives as hypothesized through investigations are introduced.
vi. Follow-up activities: The effectiveness of the alternative measures introduced should be investigated. This will give a feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the corrective measures.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
Explain the main steps in case study?Is Case Study Scientific in Nature?
There are criticisms against case study research for lack of scientific approach. A criticism isthat case study is useful in the exploration of knowledge related to a single unit but has no scope to test hypothesis or confirm any evidence. This limitation of the case study cannot undermine its meaningfulness in the process of generating knowledge. Moreover, it accommodates the process of hypothesizing in a manner different from that o survey and experimental studies.
i. Generating hypothesis in case studies: Hypotheses are stated in the form of questions or statements related to the various aspects of the process. These hypotheses are tested or confirmed using qualitative method in the given context of the investigation.
ii. Testing hypotheses in the case study method: This follows a qualitative approach.
This involves your insight into an impressionistic view about the process under investigation. But data processed in quantitative terms can be integrated with qualitative treatment for developing a holistic perspective regarding the case.
iii. Generalization of case study findings: The process of evidence-generalization here depends on several considerations. These include the nature of the case study, the theoretical framework generated, and the extent of objectivity possible. There also possibilities of considering the findings of a case which are significantly similar to another case that will be studied at a later stage. There are also situations where studies of different cases can be useful in developing a new trend.
CONCLUSION
From this unit, you have added two more research methods to your collection. This means thatyou have many of the qualitative research methods to choose from any time you feel. But if
you are in love with the quantitative methods, you wait for the next unit where you are gong to
be exposed to the major ones.
Social Plugin