Presentation on Effective Writing/Writing Case Studies for Impact

1. Effective Writing/Writing Case
Studies for Impact
By: Fida Karim
Specialist-Monitoring, Evaluation & Research

2. Objectives of the workshop
• Introducing basic principles/techniques of
effective writing
• Engaging professionals/trainers in writing
• Developing writing skills of the
trainers/participants
• Enabling trainers/participants to write on
impact of training programmes and
disseminate learning experiences

3. Linking workshop with Action
Research Project
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Review Action Research plans
What is the progress now?
What are the next plans
How will you report the progress ? ( record
your reflection in a journals on ongoing basis
and identify lessons learnt., bi monthly
qualitative reports to MER
• Final report (not more than 10 pager) and
follow the steps defined

4. Principles of effective writing
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Clear focus /purpose (why are you writing it and for whom)
Simplicity
Brevity/concise (no verbosity)
Clarity
Communication
Emphasis
Evidence based
Passion and control
Coherence /logical sequence
Analytical
Ethics of writing (anonymity, consent of people, avoid plagiarism )

5. Ways to report the social change and
impact ?

6. Evaluating social change
‘’… those development
programs that are most precisely and
easily measured are the least
transformational, and those programs that
are most transformational are the least
measurable.” (Former USAID
president Andrew Natsios (2010)

7. Define case study
Case study research excels at bringing us to an understanding of a
complex issue or object and can extend experience or add strength to
what is already known through previous research. Case studies
emphasize detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events
or conditions and their relationships. Researchers have used the case
study research method for many years across a variety of disciplines.
Social scientists, in particular, have made wide use of this qualitative
research method to examine contemporary real-life situations and
provide the basis for the application of ideas and extension of
methods. Researcher Robert K. Yin defines the case study research
method as an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary
phenomenon within its real-life context; when the boundaries
between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident; and in
which multiple sources of evidence are used (Yin, 1984, p. 23).

8. Steps of case study writing
• Determine and define the research questions
• Select the cases and determine data gathering
and analysis techniques
• Prepare to collect the data
• Collect data in the field
• Evaluate and analyze the data
• Prepare the report

9. The case study report
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Title
Background/context
Statement of Problem
Justification
Action/ intervention
Description of the process/ methodology /strategy
Analyze the outcomes/successes
Analyze issues /challenges
Identify lessons learnt
Draw conclusions
Recommendations/implications
How Indian model is different from FOCUS model?

10. Analyzes different examples of case
studies in CBDRM
• Local examples, international examples
• Identify the framework of case study
• Compare differences and similarities of
FOCUS model and Indian model

11. Task: Can you write a case study
now?
• Recall a training event/experience that stands
out in your mind in terms of its success/failure or
challenges or it was a happy or disappointing
experience.
• Ask a question about the experience/training
• Describe what happened, when, where?
• How ?
• Why did it happened?
• What does it mean ?
• What are its implications ?

12. Questions?

13. Case study review criteria
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Clarity of the purpose
Clarity of the language
Strong evidence
Logical sequence
Case study Framework followed
Good quality and action oriented Pictures
There are lessons for others to learn
Layout an design
Rating : 1-2-3-4-5 (unsatisfactory-excellent )