Education
Case Study
Originally prepared by Professor Denis Hayes.
Now led by Mike Murphy.
© D Hayes, Faculty of Education, University of Plymouth, 2006
CONTENTS
* A. INTRODUCTION * Part One: What is Case Study? * Glossary of terms * Part Two: Case Study Close-Up * B. THE VALUE OF CASE STUDY * Part One: Its Usefulness * Part Two: Its Limitations * Part Three: A Summary * C. DESIGNING A CASE STUDY * Part One: Outline Plans * Part Two: Observing People at Work * Part Three: Observer Effect * Part Four: Examples * D. SCENARIOS * E. ANALYSIS * Part One: The Place of Theory * Part Two: Interpretation in Context * F. TASKS * G. FURTHER READING
A. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the module component on Case Study. I hope that you find the information contained in the following pages useful.
Let’s begin by asking a fundamental question: What is meant by a ‘case’? * You may have heard the term being used by detectives trying to solve a crime or by psychologists when referring to a client, but what is your perception of a case study?
Back to CONTENTS list
Part I: WHAT IS CASE STUDY?
KEY REFERENCES: Golby (1993); Yin (2003)
The term CASE STUDY is used in a variety of ways: 1. As an alternative to experimental (scientific) and quantitative (positivist) methods. 2. As an intensive investigation of single situations which serve to identify and describe basic phenomena. 3. Focusing on individuals ' perceptions of given educational phenomena, carried out largely by means of interviews. 4. As a study which is almost entirely qualitative in methodology and presentation. 5. As a type of ethnographic research (see below) incorporating participant observation, qualitative observation and field study.
KEY TERM: Ethnographic
Ethnographic studies are those that take place within a definable cultural setting, such as a
Originally prepared by Professor Denis Hayes.
Now led by Mike Murphy.
© D Hayes, Faculty of Education, University of Plymouth, 2006
CONTENTS
* A. INTRODUCTION * Part One: What is Case Study? * Glossary of terms * Part Two: Case Study Close-Up * B. THE VALUE OF CASE STUDY * Part One: Its Usefulness * Part Two: Its Limitations * Part Three: A Summary * C. DESIGNING A CASE STUDY * Part One: Outline Plans * Part Two: Observing People at Work * Part Three: Observer Effect * Part Four: Examples * D. SCENARIOS * E. ANALYSIS * Part One: The Place of Theory * Part Two: Interpretation in Context * F. TASKS * G. FURTHER READING
A. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the module component on Case Study. I hope that you find the information contained in the following pages useful.
Let’s begin by asking a fundamental question: What is meant by a ‘case’? * You may have heard the term being used by detectives trying to solve a crime or by psychologists when referring to a client, but what is your perception of a case study?
Back to CONTENTS list
Part I: WHAT IS CASE STUDY?
KEY REFERENCES: Golby (1993); Yin (2003)
The term CASE STUDY is used in a variety of ways: 1. As an alternative to experimental (scientific) and quantitative (positivist) methods. 2. As an intensive investigation of single situations which serve to identify and describe basic phenomena. 3. Focusing on individuals ' perceptions of given educational phenomena, carried out largely by means of interviews. 4. As a study which is almost entirely qualitative in methodology and presentation. 5. As a type of ethnographic research (see below) incorporating participant observation, qualitative observation and field study.
KEY TERM: Ethnographic
Ethnographic studies are those that take place within a definable cultural setting, such as a
References: Golby (1993); Yin (2003) The term CASE STUDY is used in a variety of ways: h. Non-technical language is used (however, meanings have to be defined; this is not an excuse for casual use of language). KEY REFERENCE: Kenny & Groteleuschen (1984)