CASE STUDY

PREPARED BY:MARYJO R. LIBOON

MS GENERAL SCIENCE EDUCATIONCENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY

CONTENTS What is a Case Study? Focus of Case Study Case Studies Analysis Framework Characteristics of Case Study Types of Case Study Case study approach to learning Why use Case Study? Advantages of Case Study Disadvantages of Case Study Generalizing Case study

What is a Case Study? It refers to the collection and presentation of

detailed information about a particular situation by a participant or small group. Frequently including the accounts of subject themselves.

Provides a systematic way of looking at events, collecting data analyzing

information, and reporting the results In-depth analysis of topic using multiple

sources of evidence

FOCUS OF CASE STUDYCase studies are classified according to the focus of study. This can include:IndividualsCommunitiesSocial groupsOrganizations, institutions,events, roles, relationships, and interactions.

Case Studies Analysis Framework4 Steps Process: Define the problem Formulate alternative course of action to

solve problem Analyze alternatives in terms of strength

and weaknesses Alternatives accepted recommended

course of action

Characteristics of Case study

It aims at deep and detailed study of the unit.

It is a comprehensive study, it covers a wide span of time.

The number of units may vary from single unit to a few dozen. They are not selected according to some scientific technique of sampling.

Types of Case Study1. Evaluative: to provide decision makers with information in order to evaluate a program or an institution.2. Educational: to understand an educational action3. Ethnographic: to study from an outsider’s view, emphasizing causal or structural patterns of the actor.4. Action research: To study the development of a case, using feedback to guide revision of an action.

Case Study Approach to learning

Uses of Case Studies Primarily for adult learners in training

situations including recertification. Team building activities in organizations. Practice client interaction skills. Practice use of analytical skills. To ask “what if” questions and review basic

knowledge

Why use Case study?The case study method is amongst the most flexible of research designs, and is particularly useful in researching issues related to sustainability and institutional systems. It incorporates a number of data-gathering strategies: •document analysis, •surveys, •participant or non-participant observation, and •participatory or action research.

Case study research can serve a variety of functions: exploratory (enabling researchers to get a feeling for potentially important variables and to describe phenomena in the appropriate contextual setting), for testing hypotheses or theories (relating to cause and effect in a quasi-experimental fashion), and for policy analysis (teasing out prescriptions for action).

Advantages of Case Study A well chosen case study will be relevant to all

participants. Everyone is actively engaged in the case study

process. Develops analytical thinking Develop strategic planning skills Facilitates learning regarding analysis of impact

of decisions taken

Disadvantages of Case study

One of the main criticisms is that the data collected cannot necessarily be generalized to the wider population. This leads to data being collected over longitudinal case studies not always being relevant or particularly useful.

Some case studies are not scientific. Freud used case studies for many of his theories or studies. Such examples are that of Anna O and Little Hans. Both of these are not scientific nor are they able to be generalized. This can be attributed to them being case studies, but also Freudian theory in general.

Case studies are generally on one person, but there also tends to only be one experimenter collecting the data. This can lead to bias in data collection, which can influence results more than in different designs.

It is also very difficult to draw a definite cause/effect from case studies. 

Generalizing Case StudyCase studies are an important and useful method of data collection, especially in cases of rare phenomena. It would be extremely unethical to go taking parts of peoples brains out just to make a larger sample size to use a different experimental design method. However, as data is collected on new cases I think it is important to always refer back to previous data in order to build on existing knowledge and ensure findings are as applicable to real life as possible.”