VCSEwiki:Case study development
What is a case study?[editovat | editovat zdroj]
A detailed examination of a single particular issue, a case study represents a PRACTICAL contribution to the theme based on experience from more than readings. It is:
"...a complex example which provides insight into the context of a problem as well as illustrating the main point."[1]
"...based on topics that demonstrate theoretical concepts in an applied setting."[2]
...investigation of a case study is driven by an interest in indivudual cases, not by the methods of inquiry, as it "...focuses on a single actor, single enterprise, etc., usually under natural conditions so as to understand it (a bounded system in its natural habitat)"[3]
...case studies allow an investigation into what works and what does not [4]
But it should gather evidence so that it is accessible for subsequent critical assessment (a case study is sometimes conceptualized as a form of research or its preliminary stage)!
Types of case studies[3][editovat | editovat zdroj]
- Intrinsic – a case study undertaken by an individual who wants to better understand a particular case - the case does not represent other cases (driven by interest in particular)
- Instrumental – provides insight into an issue to better understand its principles (driven by interest in theory)
- Collective – a number of cases studied jointly to inquire into some issue, helps theorizing about a larger collection of cases – the basis for naturalistic generalization [3]
- but some of the case studies may present special activities or endeavors with innovative potential so that they can not be subsumed under some existing conceptual framework!
- on the other hand, it is suspected that they may also to be used as a corruptive agent – providing non-reproducible data or information that might demonstrate non-existing qualities - see criticism of the case study method with regard to its validity and reliability.
Writing a case study [4][editovat | editovat zdroj]
In order to write a good case study, you should:
- choose a local issue with a global dimension and describe it
- try to express the nature of the case
- find out information about its historical background
- illustrate the physical setting
- describe the context (cultural, legal, economic, political, aesthetic, as appropriate)
- find out about other cases through which the case could be recognized
The writing process is similar to any other academic discourse - please follow the instructions.
Remember[editovat | editovat zdroj]
- there should be a clear purpose to the case study and the study should address it - case study writing is not simply a description of the situation
- it is important that all of the actors that represent all potentially diverging interests are involved in the case study and their role is explained
- it should be explained how the case study could be useful for situations outside its context because...
- ...your case study will be displayed as an "example of your work" in the 2010/2011 student case studies and serve as a model for the next intake of students.
Use of case studies[editovat | editovat zdroj]
- instrumental – lead to prescriptive guidelines, criteria and norms
- emancipatory – provide ideas, suggestions and imagery that sensitize outsiders (process oriented use)
If you want to learn more, you might explore the resources and links we have provided you with.
Example[editovat | editovat zdroj]
New Zealand 2010: Mining in Schedule 4 Conflict (a case study from spring 2010) - the text is available in the history of the page showing the different stages of the writing process and a summary of the revision is also provided.
Case study assessment[editovat | editovat zdroj]
Case studies are written with particular (specific) goals: to demonstrate some feature of a concrete example and to make the experience transferable to different contexts. A good case study fulfills the goals for which it has been written.
- Assessment by teachers: general criteria see in the Rubric for assessment of the text.
- Assessment in the peer review process - similar criteria used by students are included in the peer review form.
References[editovat | editovat zdroj]
- ↑ Fry H, Ketteridge S and Marshall S (1999) A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Kogan Page, Glasgow, pp408
- ↑ Davis, C. & Wilcock, E. (2003) Teaching Materials Using Case Studies. The UK Centre for Materials Education. Available from http://www.materials.ac.uk/guides/casestudies.asp
- ↑ Skočit nahoru k: 3,0 3,1 3,2 Dillon, J., & Reid, A. (2004). Issues in case-study methodology in investigating environmental and sustainability issues in higher education: towards a problem-based approach? Environmental Education Research, 10(1), 23–37.
- ↑ Skočit nahoru k: 4,0 4,1 Corcoran, P. B., Walker, K. E., & Wals, A. E. (2004). Case studies, make-your-case studies, and case stories: a critique of case-study methodology in sustainability in higher education. Environmental Education Research, 10(1), 7–21.
Other resources (some are for teachers and some are for students :-))[editovat | editovat zdroj]
- Case Writing Guide. Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence. Outlines a step-by-step process and provides in-depth guidance on how to organize and present information in a case study format.
- Writing Guide:Case Studies. Colorado State University. Excellent and very detailed explanations of case studies and how to write them. For students!!
- An Approach to Case Study Writing. Monash University, Australia. This Australian university resource also provides a huge range of other advice on how develop your skills to make the most of your university education. For students!!
- Active Learning – Case-Based Learning: http://cte.umdnj.edu/active_learning/active_case.cfm
- The Case Method of Teaching Science http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/teaching/teaching.html
- Teaching Materials Using Case Studies http://www.materials.ac.uk/guides/casestudies.asp
- Teaching Strategies: Case-based Teaching http://www.crlt.umich.edu/tstrategies/tscbt.html
