Barbara Stubbs, Corey Nickel, Dana Smith Journal #2 February 3, 2010 EDU 611 Smokin’ Research Addiction, financial burden, social implications, cancer. These are some of the tremendous risk factors associated with use of tobacco products. Smokers experience addiction to the drug Nicotine. This addiction leads to an uncontrolled craving for the drug and a loss of control in their lives. The financial burden of purchasing tobacco products funnels money away from life’s other necessities. The continuous purchase of this single item monopolizes the user’s money. Results of tobacco use may lead to cancer. The diagnosis of cancer brings a long, weary journey through medical procedures, hospital stays, family and financial burden, and physical and emotional pain. Tobacco use may eventually lead to many conditions that may or may not be directly linked to death. Case studies have been criticized for four main reasons. First, they have been associated with demonstrating a lack of rigor, or sloppiness. Similarly, tobacco users experience addiction which demonstrates a lack of personal control in their life. Case study research has also been denounced because of its inability to generalize from a single case study into a more pronounced application. Much like this, monopolization of finances towards Nicotine purchases takes away from the basic needs of the user and his or her family. The inability of case study research to establish causal relationships is a criticism in the field. In reference to tobacco use, there is also difficulty in establishing a link between the harmful effects and the responsible parties. Who is to blame: tobacco companies, tobacco farmers, retailers, government, users, or society in general? The arduous nature of case studies has been criticized by the research field. Often case studies include copious amounts of information. Cancer patients may endure a long battle with this disease. In no way does the longevity of case study research compare to the seriousness of cancer. However, connections can be made. Criticisms of case study research can be compared to the negative risk factors of tobacco use. Both tobacco use and case studies and involve risks and should be weighed carefully before pursuing them. Read the warning labels and use caution with both.
Ann Dotson Journal 2 Criticisms of Case Studies February 17, 2010
Discipline Referral
Student Name: CaseStudy Date: February 17, 2010
Reason for Referral: According to his peer, Yin, Case Study has several major weaknesses. Case Study was found on the playground this morning at 8:15 attempting to stand up for himself by holding Yin in a headlock.
Principal Comments: Principal Conference. Lunch Detention on February 18th, 19th and 20th.
Conversation between the Principal and Case Study on February 17, 2010.
Principal: So, Case Study. You were found on the playground this morning holding Yin in a headlock. Can you enlighten me of what would cause you to place him in such a compromising position?
Case Study: Earlier this morning when riding the bus to school Yin was tormenting me and stating how many weaknesses I have. I could not stand the tormenting to continue any longer. I just had to show him the strengths that I do have.
Principal: I talked to Yin earlier and I would like to take a few minutes and share with you his side of the story.
Case Study: Okay. Whatever gets me out of your office the quickest I am all for it.
Principal: His first complaint was with your retrievabiltiy. Sometimes your information and data can be hard to locate. Your documentation is spotty and incomplete and you show a great deal of biased selectivity. Also, on occasion you tend to withhold information and not very willing to give access to your documentation. On top of that your archival records are not very accessible due to privacy reasons.
Case Study: My documentations are extremely stable and can be viewed over and over again. I am a very unobtrusive person. Getting in other people’s business is just not my nature. My documentation is precise and contains names, references, and details of an event. The coverage of the event is broad, covers a long time frame, many events and many settings. My archival records justify that I am extremely precise and quantitative.
Principal: Oh, my dear Case Study, I have just begun with Yin’s list of your weaknesses. The interviews you conduct are full of bias and are laced with poorly articulated questions. The responses are biased, you are very inaccurate with recall and the interview gives you what you want to hear.
Case Study: My interviews are targeted and have a great focus on the topic at hand! I am a very insightful person and I always provide causal inferences and explanations.
Principal: Yin also states that your direct observations are a mess as well! You are extremely time consuming, the fact that there is a broad coverage and you are extremely difficult do to the lack of observers on your team. Not to mention the event being observed may turn out differently because it is being observed. Also, you must have some pretty deep pockets, with all the time you are taking; you must be paying yourself really well.
Case Study: For your information, with all due respect, my observations cover events in real time and always cover the important moments of the “case”.
Principal: As for your participant observation skills. You seem to be a very manipulative person! I see a great deal of bias and manipulation taking place. And further more your physical artifacts lack selectivity and availability.
Case Study: *Sigh* I believe I am very insightful to interpersonal behavior and motives of my participation. And my physical artifacts are insightful to cultural features as well as technical operations.
Principal: I can see I am getting now where with you on these issues. I would like to see you during your lunch for the next three days. During each lunch period we will have an opportunity to discuss your weaknesses and strengths. Go ahead and head back to class Case Study.
Case Study: Have a nice afternoon and I will see you tomorrow during lunch.
Ann Gustafson and Shelly Brinkley EDU611 Journal #2
It is a busy afternoon in the ER at Researcher’s Medical Center. The ambulance pulls up to the door with the latest patient, Case Study. As Case Study is wheeled inside, his friend Researcher runs alongside. The physician on duty asks the EMT for the vital information. “We found Case Study crumpled on the floor next to Researcher’s computer. It was hard to get specific information and background because Researcher was rambling incoherently.”
While the doctor attends to Case Study in the examining room, the nurse tries to get some information from Researcher.
Researcher asks the nurse, “Is Case Study going to be alright? I’m worried the doctor may be prejudiced against Case Study.” In a calm voice the nurse tells Researcher that she understands that is Researcher’s guiding question at the moment but that there are some specific issues that have to be addressed to get Case Study on his feet. She also reassures Researcher that there will be less concern regarding prejudice if these issues are appropriately handled.
“Please, you’ve got to help Case Study. I know he’s weak and I thought I could help him get stronger but I just didn’t seem to be doing the right things.”
“OK, you’ve got your guiding question. And naturally our hypothesis is that Case Study will be fine. We have to get some information to the doctor so that he can combine it with his current findings and analyze both to make some logical connections. One of our concerns is that you may be so closely related to Case Study that you were biased in your interpretation of what was happening.”
“What is the doctor doing now?”
“The doctor is running some tests. To address Case Study’s construct validity, the doctor will use multiple sources of evidence so that a chain of evidence can be established. He will need to ask Case Study’s family doctor, yourself, and others for information that can be used to document and establish patterns. This is called triangulation of data and can be very crucial in helping Case Study. To increase Case Study’s internal validity, the doctor will use pattern matching to build an explanation. While doing this the doctor will look at possible rival explanations and use logic models to make the correct diagnosis. The doctor will likely have some trouble with Case Study’s external validity, but I’m sure he will use a solid theory. After all, you did say Case Study is single, didn’t you?”
“Yes, he’s just a single case study, please help him! I know that it’s important to him to be strong so he can contribute to society.”
“We will do everything we can. With construct validity, internal validity and external validity addressed, the doctor will also consider Case Study’s reliability. To do this he will use specific protocol and develop a database for Case Study.”
“I had no idea there was so much involved in Case Study’s health. I’m a novice at taking on something like this.”
“It’s perfectly understandable that a novice would stumble a bit trying to take on the task of a healthy, productive Case Study. In the future, just remember what you’ve learned here. Take the time to use multiple sources of evidence, organize and document the data you collect for Case Study by creating a Case Study database, and maintain a chain of evidence. Follow what I’ve told you to look after Case Study’s validity and reliability and most likely you’ll never have to make another emergency trip here to Researcher’s Medical Center.”
Ann, Ann, and Shelly...Your images are VERY creative, I almost used the word cute, but refrained! Headlocks and Doctor visits seem to fit right in with research! Over the past few months I have wanted to do both while studying...ha! I think just like a lot of things in life criticisms are there. We as researchers must look at the criticisms and decide if the positives out weigh the criticisms!
Going for the Gold By: Christina Hartman and Tanya Dalrymple
Obstacles faced by Olympic hopefuls are analogous to obstacles faced by case study researchers. In both situations, participants have to overcome issues such as time, stress, and commitment. However, if a person is dedicated enough, he/she may fulfill his/her dreams. Becoming an Olympic athlete is a dream for many individuals. There are four major obstacles to pursuing this dream. One is the massive amount of time and commitment that is required to be number one in your sport. For example, some athletes train for up to eight hours a day and follow strict diets. The second obstacle would be the financial burden of hiring trainers, coaches, and travel. Generally, Olympic athletes must find experienced trainers and coaches that command a high salary. Moreover, some athletes must travel across the world to contend in different competitions. The third obstacle is the physical stress of rigorous training schedules. The human body is not indestructible; therefore, much care must be taken to prevent injuries. Finally, the mental stress of being an Olympian can also be a deterrent. The stress of representing an entire country and all the political baggage that it entails can be overwhelming. According to Yin, conducting a case study investigation is no easy task. First, one must be concerned with the lack of rigor that has tarnished past case study research. Many times, investigators have been careless and not followed a set of procedures for conducting research. Also, investigators have allowed predisposed views to influence their research. Second, researchers should attend to the lack of scientific generalizations associated with case studies. When a case study focuses on a single case rather than multiple cases, audiences have a hard time accepting any generalizations put forth by the research. Third, if not careful, case study reports may easily become massive, unreadable documents due to the enormous amount of data collected. In the past, case studies have been written in a narrative form and, oftentimes, incorrectly confused with methods of data collection such as with ethnographies. Lastly, case study researchers must overcome the common belief that case studies are not “true experiments.” Because case studies do not directly address the issue of establishing causal relationships, in the eyes of many, case studies have been downgraded. Like the obstacles faced by Olympic athletes, researchers face numerous hindrances when conducting case studies. With perseverance and dedication, Olympic athletes and case study researchers can overcome these hurdles and conquer their goals.
Great images, ladies. Ann D, you had me cracking up. I loved how you had the principal mediating between "Case Study" and "Yin". Behavior teachers (like me) love this stuff!
Ann Dotson, I like your Journal entry-a very clever way to make the case in defense of case studies, yet to also illustrate weaknesses. Ann and Shelly, like Corey, I can certainly relate case studies and emergency rooms. Don't they go together? Just reading about case studies makes my blood pressure skyrocket! Christina and Tanya, I loved the Olympics image. I find the Olympians such noble champions, even if they don't score a medal. As researchers, we will also achieve "gold" if we can become more effective teacher-leaders, regardless of the outcome of our research project. When we all get our Master's, we will also be Champions!
Barbara Stubbs, Corey Nickel, Dana Smith
ReplyDeleteJournal #2
February 3, 2010
EDU 611
Smokin’ Research
Addiction, financial burden, social implications, cancer. These are some of the tremendous risk factors associated with use of tobacco products. Smokers experience addiction to the drug Nicotine. This addiction leads to an uncontrolled craving for the drug and a loss of control in their lives. The financial burden of purchasing tobacco products funnels money away from life’s other necessities. The continuous purchase of this single item monopolizes the user’s money. Results of tobacco use may lead to cancer. The diagnosis of cancer brings a long, weary journey through medical procedures, hospital stays, family and financial burden, and physical and emotional pain. Tobacco use may eventually lead to many conditions that may or may not be directly linked to death.
Case studies have been criticized for four main reasons. First, they have been associated with demonstrating a lack of rigor, or sloppiness. Similarly, tobacco users experience addiction which demonstrates a lack of personal control in their life. Case study research has also been denounced because of its inability to generalize from a single case study into a more pronounced application. Much like this, monopolization of finances towards Nicotine purchases takes away from the basic needs of the user and his or her family. The inability of case study research to establish causal relationships is a criticism in the field. In reference to tobacco use, there is also difficulty in establishing a link between the harmful effects and the responsible parties. Who is to blame: tobacco companies, tobacco farmers, retailers, government, users, or society in general? The arduous nature of case studies has been criticized by the research field. Often case studies include copious amounts of information. Cancer patients may endure a long battle with this disease. In no way does the longevity of case study research compare to the seriousness of cancer. However, connections can be made.
Criticisms of case study research can be compared to the negative risk factors of tobacco use. Both tobacco use and case studies and involve risks and should be weighed carefully before pursuing them. Read the warning labels and use caution with both.
Nice image! I am glad you worked ahead here!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!!!
Ann Dotson
ReplyDeleteJournal 2
Criticisms of Case Studies
February 17, 2010
Discipline Referral
Student Name: CaseStudy Date: February 17, 2010
Reason for Referral: According to his peer, Yin, Case Study has several major weaknesses. Case Study was found on the playground this morning at 8:15 attempting to stand up for himself by holding Yin in a headlock.
Interventions:
Yes: Student Conference
Yes: Parent Phone Call
Numerous: Warnings Issued
Principal Comments: Principal Conference. Lunch Detention on February 18th, 19th and 20th.
Conversation between the Principal and Case Study on February 17, 2010.
Principal: So, Case Study. You were found on the playground this morning holding Yin in a headlock. Can you enlighten me of what would cause you to place him in such a compromising position?
Case Study: Earlier this morning when riding the bus to school Yin was tormenting me and stating how many weaknesses I have. I could not stand the tormenting to continue any longer. I just had to show him the strengths that I do have.
Principal: I talked to Yin earlier and I would like to take a few minutes and share with you his side of the story.
Case Study: Okay. Whatever gets me out of your office the quickest I am all for it.
Principal: His first complaint was with your retrievabiltiy. Sometimes your information and data can be hard to locate. Your documentation is spotty and incomplete and you show a great deal of biased selectivity. Also, on occasion you tend to withhold information and not very willing to give access to your documentation. On top of that your archival records are not very accessible due to privacy reasons.
Case Study: My documentations are extremely stable and can be viewed over and over again. I am a very unobtrusive person. Getting in other people’s business is just not my nature. My documentation is precise and contains names, references, and details of an event. The coverage of the event is broad, covers a long time frame, many events and many settings. My archival records justify that I am extremely precise and quantitative.
ReplyDeletePrincipal: Oh, my dear Case Study, I have just begun with Yin’s list of your weaknesses. The interviews you conduct are full of bias and are laced with poorly articulated questions. The responses are biased, you are very inaccurate with recall and the interview gives you what you want to hear.
Case Study: My interviews are targeted and have a great focus on the topic at hand! I am a very insightful person and I always provide causal inferences and explanations.
Principal: Yin also states that your direct observations are a mess as well! You are extremely time consuming, the fact that there is a broad coverage and you are extremely difficult do to the lack of observers on your team. Not to mention the event being observed may turn out differently because it is being observed. Also, you must have some pretty deep pockets, with all the time you are taking; you must be paying yourself really well.
Case Study: For your information, with all due respect, my observations cover events in real time and always cover the important moments of the “case”.
Principal: As for your participant observation skills. You seem to be a very manipulative person! I see a great deal of bias and manipulation taking place. And further more your physical artifacts lack selectivity and availability.
Case Study: *Sigh* I believe I am very insightful to interpersonal behavior and motives of my participation. And my physical artifacts are insightful to cultural features as well as technical operations.
Principal: I can see I am getting now where with you on these issues. I would like to see you during your lunch for the next three days. During each lunch period we will have an opportunity to discuss your weaknesses and strengths. Go ahead and head back to class Case Study.
Case Study: Have a nice afternoon and I will see you tomorrow during lunch.
Ann Gustafson and Shelly Brinkley
ReplyDeleteEDU611
Journal #2
It is a busy afternoon in the ER at Researcher’s Medical Center. The ambulance pulls up to the door with the latest patient, Case Study. As Case Study is wheeled inside, his friend Researcher runs alongside. The physician on duty asks the EMT for the vital information. “We found Case Study crumpled on the floor next to Researcher’s computer. It was hard to get specific information and background because Researcher was rambling incoherently.”
While the doctor attends to Case Study in the examining room, the nurse tries to get some information from Researcher.
Researcher asks the nurse, “Is Case Study going to be alright? I’m worried the doctor may be prejudiced against Case Study.” In a calm voice the nurse tells Researcher that she understands that is Researcher’s guiding question at the moment but that there are some specific issues that have to be addressed to get Case Study on his feet. She also reassures Researcher that there will be less concern regarding prejudice if these issues are appropriately handled.
“Please, you’ve got to help Case Study. I know he’s weak and I thought I could help him get stronger but I just didn’t seem to be doing the right things.”
“OK, you’ve got your guiding question. And naturally our hypothesis is that Case Study will be fine. We have to get some information to the doctor so that he can combine it with his current findings and analyze both to make some logical connections. One of our concerns is that you may be so closely related to Case Study that you were biased in your interpretation of what was happening.”
“What is the doctor doing now?”
“The doctor is running some tests. To address Case Study’s construct validity, the doctor will use multiple sources of evidence so that a chain of evidence can be established. He will need to ask Case Study’s family doctor, yourself, and others for information that can be used to document and establish patterns. This is called triangulation of data and can be very crucial in helping Case Study. To increase Case Study’s internal validity, the doctor will use pattern matching to build an explanation. While doing this the doctor will look at possible rival explanations and use logic models to make the correct diagnosis. The doctor will likely have some trouble with Case Study’s external validity, but I’m sure he will use a solid theory. After all, you did say Case Study is single, didn’t you?”
“Yes, he’s just a single case study, please help him! I know that it’s important to him to be strong so he can contribute to society.”
“We will do everything we can. With construct validity, internal validity and external validity addressed, the doctor will also consider Case Study’s reliability. To do this he will use specific protocol and develop a database for Case Study.”
“I had no idea there was so much involved in Case Study’s health. I’m a novice at taking on something like this.”
“It’s perfectly understandable that a novice would stumble a bit trying to take on the task of a healthy, productive Case Study. In the future, just remember what you’ve learned here. Take the time to use multiple sources of evidence, organize and document the data you collect for Case Study by creating a Case Study database, and maintain a chain of evidence. Follow what I’ve told you to look after Case Study’s validity and reliability and most likely you’ll never have to make another emergency trip here to Researcher’s Medical Center.”
Ann, Ann, and Shelly...Your images are VERY creative, I almost used the word cute, but refrained! Headlocks and Doctor visits seem to fit right in with research! Over the past few months I have wanted to do both while studying...ha! I think just like a lot of things in life criticisms are there. We as researchers must look at the criticisms and decide if the positives out weigh the criticisms!
ReplyDeleteGoing for the Gold
ReplyDeleteBy: Christina Hartman and Tanya Dalrymple
Obstacles faced by Olympic hopefuls are analogous to obstacles faced by case study researchers. In both situations, participants have to overcome issues such as time, stress, and commitment. However, if a person is dedicated enough, he/she may fulfill his/her dreams.
Becoming an Olympic athlete is a dream for many individuals. There are four major obstacles to pursuing this dream. One is the massive amount of time and commitment that is required to be number one in your sport. For example, some athletes train for up to eight hours a day and follow strict diets. The second obstacle would be the financial burden of hiring trainers, coaches, and travel. Generally, Olympic athletes must find experienced trainers and coaches that command a high salary. Moreover, some athletes must travel across the world to contend in different competitions. The third obstacle is the physical stress of rigorous training schedules. The human body is not indestructible; therefore, much care must be taken to prevent injuries. Finally, the mental stress of being an Olympian can also be a deterrent. The stress of representing an entire country and all the political baggage that it entails can be overwhelming.
According to Yin, conducting a case study investigation is no easy task. First, one must be concerned with the lack of rigor that has tarnished past case study research. Many times, investigators have been careless and not followed a set of procedures for conducting research. Also, investigators have allowed predisposed views to influence their research. Second, researchers should attend to the lack of scientific generalizations associated with case studies. When a case study focuses on a single case rather than multiple cases, audiences have a hard time accepting any generalizations put forth by the research. Third, if not careful, case study reports may easily become massive, unreadable documents due to the enormous amount of data collected. In the past, case studies have been written in a narrative form and, oftentimes, incorrectly confused with methods of data collection such as with ethnographies. Lastly, case study researchers must overcome the common belief that case studies are not “true experiments.” Because case studies do not directly address the issue of establishing causal relationships, in the eyes of many, case studies have been downgraded.
Like the obstacles faced by Olympic athletes, researchers face numerous hindrances when conducting case studies. With perseverance and dedication, Olympic athletes and case study researchers can overcome these hurdles and conquer their goals.
Great images, ladies. Ann D, you had me cracking up. I loved how you had the principal mediating between "Case Study" and "Yin". Behavior teachers (like me) love this stuff!
ReplyDeleteAnn Dotson, I like your Journal entry-a very clever way to make the case in defense of case studies, yet to also illustrate weaknesses. Ann and Shelly, like Corey, I can certainly relate case studies and emergency rooms. Don't they go together? Just reading about case studies makes my blood pressure skyrocket! Christina and Tanya, I loved the Olympics image. I find the Olympians such noble champions, even if they don't score a medal. As researchers, we will also achieve "gold" if we can become more effective teacher-leaders, regardless of the outcome of our research project. When we all get our Master's, we will also be Champions!
ReplyDeleteBarb, Corey, and Dana: Great image and nicely written. If I become pregnant, should I not investigate a case study due to dangerous side effects? :)
ReplyDeleteAnn D.: What a creative way to journal! Very funny.
Ann G. and Shelly,
ReplyDeleteDo not forget to send the journal to me in an attachment too!
Good job class!!!!