When to Use a case Study

The Case Study Protocol

• Analysis
• -- Table shells
• -- Creating files and data bases
• Reporting
• -- Audience
• -- Outline
• -- Procedure for report verification and review

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DATA ANALYSIS

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Data Analysis

• Coding schemes
• Cross validation
• Disconfirming evidence
• Themes
• Patterns
• Group Review of Observation Analysis

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DATA ANALYSIS

• Holistic fallacy
• Using both qualitative and quantitative evidence
• Computer software
• Within and between sites

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Exercise

• Data Analysis: Paired Observation III

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Content Analysis

• Ethnograph 5.03 www.qualisresearch.com
• Searches, marks with code words, runs analysis
• atlas.ti 5.2 www.atlasti.com
• Searches recorded multimedia plus print
• Nvivo 8 (formerly NUD*IST) www.qsrinternational.com/products_nvivo.aspx
• Also multimedia, PDF files, and most languages
• MAXqda 2007 (formerly winMAX) www.maxqda.com

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Content Analysis Continued

• Lewins, A. & Silver, C. (2007) Using Software in Qualitative Research: A Step-By-Step Guide, SAGE Pub., London
• Comparison of software

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PRESENTING FINDINGS

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STRATEGIES FOR PRESENTING FINDINGS

• Natural history
• Critical incident
• Thematic
• Within and between

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PRESENTATION

• FROM WHOSE VANTAGE POINT DOES ONE REPORT?

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PRESENTATION

• The power of pictures
• The power of video, but is it worth it?

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SUMMARY The Good Case Study…

• Design follows operational specification of the issue (e.g., a logic model)
• Discovery and flexibility are accompanied by re-design
• Rival explanations are addressed
• Evidence (data) and interpretation are clearly distinguished
• Evidence is from multiple sources

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GET REAL LINDA!

• OK, SO NOW I KNOW ALL ABOUT DOING GOOD CASE STUDIES. BUT REALITY IS THAT I HAVE ABOUT ONE WEEK MAX TO SPEND AT EACH OF 4 SITES. WHAT CAN I DO?

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Use your new knowledge to strengthen your methodology but note limitations

• Use your new knowledge to strengthen your methodology but note limitations

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How Did We Do?

• Understand defining features of case studies
• Know when to use case studies and when each type of case study is appropriate
• Contrast case study methods
• Know how to increase case study reliability and validity, and determine sample size
• Apply some case study methods
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