A case study is a method for researching social phenomena. In education, this method allows educators to trace current (contemporary) student behaviors over time. Monitoring students over time will hopefully answer how or why certain teaching methods are successful or not.
Amanda said... I would say that Julie's definition of a case study is correct, but to elaborate, a case study could be limited to one individual case or multiple "cases" with a case study. Yin states that a case study would most likely be used as the primary research method if you wanted to answer a how or why question that does not require control over behavior, but does focus on contemporary events. Some of the biggest criticisms of case studies come from the failure to consider the case study anything but preliminary research for a different method of study, and unfortunatly, the shotty organization and data collection of early studies. It was not until recently that the case study has really began to take on its own form.
This is a decent book to read. I wouldn't say enjoyable.... but better than the last ones we had to read!
Case Study? Is a way of doing social science research. It is used when the questions are related to "how" or "why". It deals with real life situations or events. I feel that direct observation and evidence is an important part of the case study. The case study should expand theories that are already present.
There are three purposes:- exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory.
I can understand that people don't think case studies should be used. They are based on the observations of the researcher. Yin states that some people think the observer can alter their findings to get the results they want. However, I feel a true researcher will be honest because that is the only way the research will be beneficial to the field they are working in.
I think it should be used in education to get a sense of how peopel feel about certain things. I don't think it should be used as a way to try and express if a student has benefited from a way of teaching. That would need to be left to numerical evidence, not opinions.
Okay to the actual journal entry now: Question: Why do people have to complain about case study? if they don't beleive that it is reliable then look somwhere else for the information. Quote: "The case study is preferred in examing contemporary events..." (page 11) Info: (Page 19)It is a mixed method and can be written with many different motives.
I guess at this point we are now "social scientists". Sounds important!
Quote: "Defining the research questions is probably the most important step to be taken in a research study, so you should be patient and allow sufficient time for this task."(pg.10)
Fact: There are basically 3 types of case studies for research purposes: (a) explanatory or causal case studies (b) descriptive case studies (c) exploratory case studies Question: What would be a good example of an exploratory case study? (I saw the first 2 on pg 6-7).
I agree with your comment about this textbook. It is easier to read. Research texts are dense though. Case study is not as difficult to read about here.
However, numbers are "opinions" and can be manipulated and controlled too. Be critical with your thoughts about both qualitative and quantitative research. One is not better than the other. Remember to focus on your research question(s). Then, choose a research method--mixed methods, a qualitative method, or a quantitative method. Think about NCLB and all of the emphasis on the numbers and "scientific" research. Think about how limiting that is, and think about how numbers cannot be used for every research problem/question.
You are a "social scientist" now, and your work is so important!!! Good job here! Keep going!
Reminder to send in your IRB materials a.s.a.p. and start on your own case study. See me if you want me to review your informed consents or IRB. See me if you want me to look at your methods for data collection!
You have a great question here. Look at Box 38 on page 169. Yin refers to a famous study that is more exploratory than explanatory there. Also, any case studies that try to address questions pertaining to theory or theories usually are more exploratory.
Good job here! Keep going and take care, Dr. Hendrix
I agree with the definition of a case study we have so far from the reading. However, I am still a little hazy on the difference between a case study and the beginning research projects we started last semester. I'm thinking that what we did previously was just a foundation and now we decide what type of research or how we will research, which is where a case study comes into play. A case study can be used when how or why questions are being pose, when the investigator has little control over events, or when the focus is a contemporary phenomenon within a real life context. Well to me this seems like all of the projects we were considering would fit into one of these categories. So then would we just add to the way we were considering collecting our data to include case study? If so then does it change the framework? I'm trying to tie all of this together. Quote: I liked this because I felt it spoke to teachers and a classroom atmosphere " A case study method allows investigators to retain the holistic and meaningful characteristics of real-life events." I could really relate to this because as a teacher there are many times I read research or we are given a new "research based curriculum" that was never tried in a classroom of 25-30 kids with diverse needs and abilities. Example Pathways was set up to work in a small group and after spending tons of money and having the developer come to our school and train us she herself said well it won't work so well in such large classes. Real-life events are very important to consider when adopting new teaching methods or curriculum. I think it would be helpful to bring in a case study and go through it like we did in the examples last semester also to see how we might be able to begin envisioning how our will develop.
Good points here! Good quote too! We will talk about that (reviewing case studies and Yin's major points) on Feb. 24th, but I can meet or communicate, however you prefer, before that time too. I will walk you through one of Yin's here. Just remind me of that before Feb. 24th. I may walk you through my friend's dissertation, Dymaneke Mitchell's, which was a case study. She won an award for her dissertation from AERA. That may be more interesting to you in the end.
You chose a method and framework already, and a case study can be a mixed method study. You will work on a case study that will help you build on the foundation you already worked on last fall. Your case study work should go hand-in-hand with the topic and questions that you already selected. You will just keep adding to it. You may have to change your questions a little to have them fit together. Yes, all of your topics will fit under one of the case studies too. This will give you some qualitative data to go with your quantitative data too.
I think the haze will pass when you finish these six chapters and when you look at Yin's mixed method part with the case study. If not, we will keep working on it until the fog passes.
ok I've been researching case studies and trying to find an example related to education to try and tie some of this together. This is what I'm thinking right now, a case study could be the qualitative part of a mixed method approach. Where you would write about observations and discussions with students and other teachers? If I'm on the rigt track then my observations of students and Pathways or AIMS testing and K-2 teachers perceptions of the relationship between Pathways and students' AIMS scores would be the case study part or qualitative part and the AIMS testing and Pathways scores would be the quantitative and you would end up with a mixed methods?
I am reminded of last summer with Dr. Smith. We learned about action research and it appears, to me, that the two are quite similar. I believe I know what I want to study however I am not sure of my question. The book says that at times we must make our research question fit the method we wish to use. Is this okay to do? After last semester, I thought our method depended on the question. I agree with everyone about case studies and the criticism about the practice. We must rely on someone's observations and responses. I understand that statistical data can be misleading but we all know that words can be twisted. And what I see happening may be totally different through someone else's eyes.
Either way, you have to make your research question(s) match your method. My professors said that we should figure out our research question(s) first, and then based on that, choose a method and theoretical framework. You can start with a method and make the research question fit that method though.
I am glad that you are critically thinking here, and I am so happy to see that you realize both numbers and words can be manipulated. That is why it is so important for you to have these research classes and the courses that you are taking!
Like Kristin said, I too would like to see a case srudy related in education. I think that would help. I plan to tie in questions about if the parents think palm pilots in third grade are beneficial. I would also like to interview students about the the way palms as as a piece of "encouragement". I haven't narrowed down my qustions yet. I plan to ask my principal what things the district would like to find out through interviews.
I agree with Kristin. I would also like to see a case study that was in education. I think I will talk to my principal about what questions my distrcit would like to know answers to before I narrow my questions down. I plan to do one on engagement. I will let you know more later once I have talked to Mrs. Warren.
GREAT! I think that you should ask your principal about his or her ideas too. I plan to bring in an educational case study to review with you on Feb. 24th. Will that be soon enough for you though? I want to walk you through my friend's dissertation. It is about disabilities and teaching, but I think that you will find it helpful. She won an award with her work on that piece.
Just let me know, I am here to help however I can, Dr. Hendrix
Ok, sorry I am late on posting. We had a teacher pass last Tuesday so I immediately got behind.
Quote:"...case studies can include, and even be limited to, quantitative evidence. In fact, any contrast between quantitative and qualitative evidence does not distinguish the various research methods." I was unaware of how diverse case studies can be. I admit that I thought they were only studies of individuals to determine the effect that some "life event" has had on them. This first chapter provides a very easy to read basic overview of the types, questions, and reasons for conducting case study.
Question: I hope this isn't a silly question but I am confused about the differences between case study teaching and case study research? Could you help me understand?
Interesting info: I thought the section on prejudices against case studies was interesting. I am wondering if there is a way to account for the possible lack of rigor. When I read a case study how would I know whether the researcher followed all protocols and procedures?
I agree with Kristen. I would like to see an example of a case study and go through it together to get a better understanding of how to write one. I am confused about the difference between mixed methods and a case study. If a case study can have quantitative data then isn't it a mixed method study?
First, I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad to see your post. Make sure you read the other posts and respond to at least one peer's as well.
It is mixed methods if you use both quantitative and qualitative data. You could have a case study with both.
You can base a course on just case studies, and that is part of case study teaching. Your book will discuss a dilemma a Harvard business professor had and how Harvard used cases to teach their business curriculum. I could give you several cases to read, but your book gives you some and some seminal cases at that. I will give you an educational case study on Feb. 24th when we come back in person. I agree that will help you too.
For rigor, you want to look at the researcher's methods section and how he or she traingulated the data and look at the ways he or she collected data. Did he or she use a lot of data from different sources? Did he or she have the participants review the data in some way if possible? Was someone else involved who can back up what the researcher is saying so you know he or she did not lie? Look at chapter two here. I think that will help you.
Sorry I'm posting late. I just got the book from Amazon this weekend.
FYI- I will be known as "Miss Steinmetz" in all my posts because that is my profile name for all of my classroom blogs. :)
Fact: Case study is often considered a "soft" research because too often researchers become sloppy in their research by not following rigorous systematic procedures.
I picked this fact because I wondered about this myself when I started the class- exactly how a case study could be considered research and how the people you present the research to would want it formatted to be an acceptable form of research.
Quote: "Many social scientists still deeply believe that case studies are only appropriate for the exploratory phase of an investigation.... Case studies are far from being only an exploratory strategy."
Question: How do the types of research questions posed (how, when, why, etc.) determine which case study method you will be using? (8-9)
Good question here! The types of questions render forth information about which case study the study will be. For example, a "why" question that addresses a theory will have a different methodology than one that is addressing a "how" or "what" question. It will be a different study then. You need to be clear about your research question and what you plan to study.
Annie, GREAT!!! Keep looking and working on your IRB, data collection, and your literature review. That's why I am doing this class on-line, so you can work and do your discussions as well as have the time to collect your data.
Ch. 1 Discussion Post Define case study and indicate when a case study may be preferred in educational research and the criticisms of case studies.
A CASE STUDY is an in-depth exploration of one particular case, situation, or subject for the purpose of gaining depth of understanding into the issues being investigated. OR acording to Yin's book, a case study is a research methodology that has a twofold definition. First, a case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon in-depth and within its real life context AND it copes with the distinctive situation in which there will be many more variables of interest than data points and will rely on multiple sources of evidence, with data needing to converge in a trangulating fashion and it benefits from prior propositions.
Wow. That is a mouth full. I had two re-read tjis to make sure that I was actually understanding what he was saying. I always had a "gist" of what a case study was, but this is definately more in-depth than I had thought.
I think that a case study might be preferred in an educational setting because it does invlove investigating contemporary phenomenons in-depth and within real life contexts, which is what teachers deal with daily. Case studies are sometimes over-looked because they are not perhaps "scientific" enough, or may lack the "numeric" data that many value to be high. But, as Dr. Hendrix stated, just like the No Child Left Behind act doesn't take real life situational circumstances into consideration, a case study can fill in the gaps where the numbers may not always explain the data fully in other types of cases.
Quote-"Case studies can cover multiple cases and then draw a single set of 'cross-case' conclusions." Fact-Case studies CAN include, and even be limited to, quantitative evidence. Question-Is my case study going to be too "generalized?" - Yin discusses this as a possible reason some do not like case studies.
Good points here! Keep reading. I think that Yin will answer some of those concerns in the next couple of chapters for you, but if not, please ask this question again.
Darn! I put my first comment under chapter 2!
ReplyDeleteA case study is a method for researching social phenomena. In education, this method allows educators to trace current (contemporary) student behaviors over time. Monitoring students over time will hopefully answer how or why certain teaching methods are successful or not.
Amanda said...
ReplyDeleteI would say that Julie's definition of a case study is correct, but to elaborate, a case study could be limited to one individual case or multiple "cases" with a case study. Yin states that a case study would most likely be used as the primary research method if you wanted to answer a how or why question that does not require control over behavior, but does focus on contemporary events. Some of the biggest criticisms of case studies come from the failure to consider the case study anything but preliminary research for a different method of study, and unfortunatly, the shotty organization and data collection of early studies. It was not until recently that the case study has really began to take on its own form.
This is a decent book to read. I wouldn't say enjoyable.... but better than the last ones we had to read!
ReplyDeleteCase Study? Is a way of doing social science research. It is used when the questions are related to "how" or "why". It deals with real life situations or events. I feel that direct observation and evidence is an important part of the case study. The case study should expand theories that are already present.
There are three purposes:- exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory.
I can understand that people don't think case studies should be used. They are based on the observations of the researcher. Yin states that some people think the observer can alter their findings to get the results they want. However, I feel a true researcher will be honest because that is the only way the research will be beneficial to the field they are working in.
I think it should be used in education to get a sense of how peopel feel about certain things. I don't think it should be used as a way to try and express if a student has benefited from a way of teaching. That would need to be left to numerical evidence, not opinions.
Okay to the actual journal entry now:
Question: Why do people have to complain about case study? if they don't beleive that it is reliable then look somwhere else for the information.
Quote: "The case study is preferred in examing contemporary events..." (page 11)
Info: (Page 19)It is a mixed method and can be written with many different motives.
I guess at this point we are now "social scientists". Sounds important!
Quote: "Defining the research questions is probably the most important step to be taken in a research study, so you should be patient and allow sufficient time for this task."(pg.10)
ReplyDeleteFact:
There are basically 3 types of case studies for research purposes:
(a) explanatory or causal case studies
(b) descriptive case studies
(c) exploratory case studies
Question:
What would be a good example of an exploratory case study? (I saw the first 2 on pg 6-7).
Here is a good website for statistics info. Play around on this one!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.seeingstatistics.com/
Also, do not forget to post a comment to a peer's post here.
Take care,
Dr. Hendrix
Annie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment about this textbook. It is easier to read. Research texts are dense though. Case study is not as difficult to read about here.
However, numbers are "opinions" and can be manipulated and controlled too. Be critical with your thoughts about both qualitative and quantitative research. One is not better than the other. Remember to focus on your research question(s). Then, choose a research method--mixed methods, a qualitative method, or a quantitative method. Think about NCLB and all of the emphasis on the numbers and "scientific" research. Think about how limiting that is, and think about how numbers cannot be used for every research problem/question.
You are a "social scientist" now, and your work is so important!!! Good job here! Keep going!
Take care,
Dr. Hendrix
Reminder to send in your IRB materials a.s.a.p. and start on your own case study. See me if you want me to review your informed consents or IRB. See me if you want me to look at your methods for data collection!
ReplyDeleteLaurel,
ReplyDeleteYou have a great question here. Look at Box 38 on page 169. Yin refers to a famous study that is more exploratory than explanatory there. Also, any case studies that try to address questions pertaining to theory or theories usually are more exploratory.
Good job here! Keep going and take care,
Dr. Hendrix
I agree with the definition of a case study we have so far from the reading. However, I am still a little hazy on the difference between a case study and the beginning research projects we started last semester. I'm thinking that what we did previously was just a foundation and now we decide what type of research or how we will research, which is where a case study comes into play.
ReplyDeleteA case study can be used when how or why questions are being pose, when the investigator has little control over events, or when the focus is a contemporary phenomenon within a real life context. Well to me this seems like all of the projects we were considering would fit into one of these categories. So then would we just add to the way we were considering collecting our data to include case study? If so then does it change the framework? I'm trying to tie all of this together.
Quote:
I liked this because I felt it spoke to teachers and a classroom atmosphere
" A case study method allows investigators to retain the holistic and meaningful characteristics of real-life events." I could really relate to this because as a teacher there are many times I read research or we are given a new "research based curriculum" that was never tried in a classroom of 25-30 kids with diverse needs and abilities. Example Pathways was set up to work in a small group and after spending tons of money and having the developer come to our school and train us she herself said well it won't work so well in such large classes. Real-life events are very important to consider when adopting new teaching methods or curriculum.
I think it would be helpful to bring in a case study and go through it like we did in the examples last semester also to see how we might be able to begin envisioning how our will develop.
Kristin,
ReplyDeleteGood points here! Good quote too! We will talk about that (reviewing case studies and Yin's major points) on Feb. 24th, but I can meet or communicate, however you prefer, before that time too. I will walk you through one of Yin's here. Just remind me of that before Feb. 24th. I may walk you through my friend's dissertation, Dymaneke Mitchell's, which was a case study. She won an award for her dissertation from AERA. That may be more interesting to you in the end.
You chose a method and framework already, and a case study can be a mixed method study. You will work on a case study that will help you build on the foundation you already worked on last fall. Your case study work should go hand-in-hand with the topic and questions that you already selected. You will just keep adding to it. You may have to change your questions a little to have them fit together. Yes, all of your topics will fit under one of the case studies too. This will give you some qualitative data to go with your quantitative data too.
I think the haze will pass when you finish these six chapters and when you look at Yin's mixed method part with the case study. If not, we will keep working on it until the fog passes.
Take care and keep asking questions!!
Dr. Hendrix
ok I've been researching case studies and trying to find an example related to education to try and tie some of this together. This is what I'm thinking right now, a case study could be the qualitative part of a mixed method approach. Where you would write about observations and discussions with students and other teachers? If I'm on the rigt track then my observations of students and Pathways or AIMS testing and K-2 teachers perceptions of the relationship between Pathways and students' AIMS scores would be the case study part or qualitative part and the AIMS testing and Pathways scores would be the quantitative and you would end up with a mixed methods?
ReplyDeleteKristin,
ReplyDeleteYes, you are on the right track here!!!
By the way, if you want to meet in person, please let me know. I am here to help you however I can!
Keep going,
Dr. Hendrix
I am reminded of last summer with Dr. Smith. We learned about action research and it appears, to me, that the two are quite similar.
ReplyDeleteI believe I know what I want to study however I am not sure of my question. The book says that at times we must make our research question fit the method we wish to use. Is this okay to do? After last semester, I thought our method depended on the question.
I agree with everyone about case studies and the criticism about the practice. We must rely on someone's observations and responses. I understand that statistical data can be misleading but we all know that words can be twisted. And what I see happening may be totally different through someone else's eyes.
Julie,
ReplyDeleteEither way, you have to make your research question(s) match your method. My professors said that we should figure out our research question(s) first, and then based on that, choose a method and theoretical framework. You can start with a method and make the research question fit that method though.
I am glad that you are critically thinking here, and I am so happy to see that you realize both numbers and words can be manipulated. That is why it is so important for you to have these research classes and the courses that you are taking!
Take care,
Dr. Hendrix
Like Kristin said, I too would like to see a case srudy related in education. I think that would help. I plan to tie in questions about if the parents think palm pilots in third grade are beneficial. I would also like to interview students about the the way palms as as a piece of "encouragement". I haven't narrowed down my qustions yet. I plan to ask my principal what things the district would like to find out through interviews.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristin. I would also like to see a case study that was in education. I think I will talk to my principal about what questions my distrcit would like to know answers to before I narrow my questions down. I plan to do one on engagement. I will let you know more later once I have talked to Mrs. Warren.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
ReplyDeleteGREAT! I think that you should ask your principal about his or her ideas too.
I plan to bring in an educational case study to review with you on Feb. 24th. Will that be soon enough for you though? I want to walk you through my friend's dissertation. It is about disabilities and teaching, but I think that you will find it helpful. She won an award with her work on that piece.
Just let me know, I am here to help however I can,
Dr. Hendrix
Ok, sorry I am late on posting. We had a teacher pass last Tuesday so I immediately got behind.
ReplyDeleteQuote:"...case studies can include, and even be limited to, quantitative evidence. In fact, any contrast between quantitative and qualitative evidence does not distinguish the various research methods."
I was unaware of how diverse case studies can be. I admit that I thought they were only studies of individuals to determine the effect that some "life event" has had on them. This first chapter provides a very easy to read basic overview of the types, questions, and reasons for conducting case study.
Question: I hope this isn't a silly question but I am confused about the differences between case study teaching and case study research? Could you help me understand?
Interesting info: I thought the section on prejudices against case studies was interesting. I am wondering if there is a way to account for the possible lack of rigor. When I read a case study how would I know whether the researcher followed all protocols and procedures?
I agree with Kristen. I would like to see an example of a case study and go through it together to get a better understanding of how to write one. I am confused about the difference between mixed methods and a case study. If a case study can have quantitative data then isn't it a mixed method study?
Christie,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad to see your post. Make sure you read the other posts and respond to at least one peer's as well.
It is mixed methods if you use both quantitative and qualitative data. You could have a case study with both.
You can base a course on just case studies, and that is part of case study teaching. Your book will discuss a dilemma a Harvard business professor had and how Harvard used cases to teach their business curriculum. I could give you several cases to read, but your book gives you some and some seminal cases at that. I will give you an educational case study on Feb. 24th when we come back in person. I agree that will help you too.
For rigor, you want to look at the researcher's methods section and how he or she traingulated the data and look at the ways he or she collected data. Did he or she use a lot of data from different sources? Did he or she have the participants review the data in some way if possible? Was someone else involved who can back up what the researcher is saying so you know he or she did not lie? Look at chapter two here. I think that will help you.
Good work here,
Dr. Hendrix
Sorry I'm posting late. I just got the book from Amazon this weekend.
ReplyDeleteFYI- I will be known as "Miss Steinmetz" in all my posts because that is my profile name for all of my classroom blogs. :)
Fact: Case study is often considered a "soft" research because too often researchers become sloppy in their research by not following rigorous systematic procedures.
I picked this fact because I wondered about this myself when I started the class- exactly how a case study could be considered research and how the people you present the research to would want it formatted to be an acceptable form of research.
Quote: "Many social scientists still deeply believe that case studies are only appropriate for the exploratory phase of an investigation.... Case studies are far from being only an exploratory strategy."
Question: How do the types of research questions posed (how, when, why, etc.) determine which case study method you will be using? (8-9)
I agree with Kristin and Annie. An education example would be helpful.
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteGood question here! The types of questions render forth information about which case study the study will be. For example, a "why" question that addresses a theory will have a different methodology than one that is addressing a "how" or "what" question. It will be a different study then. You need to be clear about your research question and what you plan to study.
Keep going,
Dr. Hendrix
Jill.... Soon you will be a Mrs. WOW~!
ReplyDeleteDr. H~
Feb will be fine to see the example. I am trying to find stuff for myslef right now.
Annie,
ReplyDeleteGREAT!!! Keep looking and working on your IRB, data collection, and your literature review. That's why I am doing this class on-line, so you can work and do your discussions as well as have the time to collect your data.
Take care,
Dr. Hendrix
Ch. 1 Discussion Post
ReplyDeleteDefine case study and indicate when a case study may be preferred in educational research and the criticisms of case studies.
A CASE STUDY is an in-depth exploration of one particular case, situation, or subject for the purpose of gaining depth of understanding into the issues being investigated. OR acording to Yin's book, a case study is a research methodology that has a twofold definition. First, a case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon in-depth and within its real life context AND it copes with the distinctive situation in which there will be many more variables of interest than data points and will rely on multiple sources of evidence, with data needing to converge in a trangulating fashion and it benefits from prior propositions.
Wow. That is a mouth full. I had two re-read tjis to make sure that I was actually understanding what he was saying. I always had a "gist" of what a case study was, but this is definately more in-depth than I had thought.
I think that a case study might be preferred in an educational setting because it does invlove investigating contemporary phenomenons in-depth and within real life contexts, which is what teachers deal with daily.
Case studies are sometimes over-looked because they are not perhaps "scientific" enough, or may lack the "numeric" data that many value to be high. But, as Dr. Hendrix stated, just like the No Child Left Behind act doesn't take real life situational circumstances into consideration, a case study can fill in the gaps where the numbers may not always explain the data fully in other types of cases.
Quote-"Case studies can cover multiple cases and then draw a single set of 'cross-case' conclusions."
Fact-Case studies CAN include, and even be limited to, quantitative evidence.
Question-Is my case study going to be too "generalized?" - Yin discusses this as a possible reason some do not like case studies.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteGood points here! Keep reading. I think that Yin will answer some of those concerns in the next couple of chapters for you, but if not, please ask this question again.
Take care and hang in there!!!
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