Lecture 5 Flashcards
Case studies are NOT a
Research method
Case studies use a range of
Research methods
People get confused about case studies because
A case study can be not just one individual but focused on a particular unit ie an organisation, or group of ppl
Case studies used to:
Generate theory
To explore something in depth
Idiographic perspective is one if the identifying features of case studies. What is this?
Concern with particular (idiographic) rather than identifying general laws of behaviour.
Does not generalise results
Idiographic means
Particular
Nomothetic means
General
Attention to contextual data is one if the identifying features of case studies. What is this?
Holistic approach…considers things like what is happening in environment. Does not aim to replicate results.
Triangulation is one if the identifying features of case studies. What is this?
Integrates info from diverse sources (interviews, observations) to gain understanding of the phenomena/an overall answer
- use a range of research methods
Temporal element is one if the identifying features of case studies. What is this?
Investigations of occurrences over time
A concern with theory is one if the identifying features of case studies. What is this?
Facilitate theory generation. Data generated by case studies is often interpreted within the context of GT
What are the methods of data collection for case studies?
- semi structured interview
- participant observation
- diaries
- personal and official documents
Methods of case study data analysis include:
TA (theme analysis)
GT
IPA
FDA
Why can’t you use DA for case study data analysis??
Because you aren’t working with naturally occurring speech!
What are the 3 different case study designs?
- Intrinsic v. Instrumental
- Single v. Multiple
- Descriptive v. Explanatory
Why are there 3 different types of case study design?
They each allow the researcher to address different research q’s
In Intrinsic case studies the researcher wants to know about
The case in particular rather than a more general problem or phenomenon
Intrinsic case studies are pre-specified why?
The intrinsic interest pre-exists the research
Examples of intrinsic cases studies:
Patients with rare diseases
Clients with unusual problems
Instrumental case studies are contrasting to intrinsic case studies why?
Because the focus of general phenomenon.
In instrumental case studies cases are chosen to explore
How a phenomenon exists within a particular case
Single case studies are
Detailed investigation of a single case
Single case studies have an ………interest to the researcher
Intrinsic
Single case studies provide opportunity to test applicability of existing theory to
Real world data
3 reasons to select a single case
- Critical test for well formulated theory
- unique/extreme case of intrinsic interest to researcher
- revelatory case that may have previously been inaccessible
Multiple case studies are great for
Banding together to create new theory
In multiple case studies your theory is developed and refined on the basis of
Comparative analysis of series of cases