Lecture 6: Mixed Methods and Case Study Design Flashcards
Definition of a case study
An empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident, and which multiple sources of evidence are used
Case study (Yin 2014)
Purpose of a case study
- Describe new phenomena
- Explore new phenomena
- Explain operational links over time
- Test a theory, falsify or refine
- Tell compelling stories
What is the advantages of a case study?
Accuracy (context)
- Tell what is actually going on in realities
Comprehensiveness
- Allows researchers to maintain holistic and meaningful characters
Richness and depth
Dynamics/process
- Can follow development over time
Explain the different types of case studies
A Single case study
A Multiple case study
- is about widen your understanding of the given object and showing that the theory applies in more than one case.
Challenge within casestudies
- Finding and bounding the case
- Access: How to reward participants?
- Time
- How many cases are needed?
- May lead to overly complex theory due to detail and amount, or:
- May lead to narrow theory (too narrow context)
What is mixed method?
Greene et al., (1989)
The use of both qual and quant in a single study
Why use mixed methods?
- Richer insights through iterating between which can be counted and which cannot
- Social reality is multi-faceted and complex - Methods need to be too
- Increased validity - Same findings with different methods
- Balance out weaknesses of the two methods
- Generate and validate theory in the same overall study
5 different mixed method purposes
triangulation: Simultaneous. Same phenomenon, converge of results-validation
Complementary: Simultaneous. Same phenomenon, but different facets of phenomenon - Enhancement of results
Development: Sequential. Development purpose where one study feeds into the other
Initiation: Sequential. Use of contradictions to find shortcomings and start new research
Expansion: Sequential? Extension of scope. Test/focus on processes (qual?) and outcomes (quant?)
What is the weaknesses and challenges in mixed methods
Increased cost in terms of time and resources
Alignment and integration
- Consider how to merge results
Conceptual differences
- How do you translate qual findings into items or scales?
Researcher as “Jack-of-all-trades and a master of none”?
