This presentation gives a brief overview of what a case study is, the different types of case studies, the strengths, and weaknesses this method of investigation. It also includes an example of a case study, and how a it can be used in an investigation.
2. What is a case study?
Case Study - a form of
qualitative descriptive
research that is used to look
at individuals, a small group
of participants, or a group
as a whole.
3. Types of Case Studies
Explanatory – The researcher seeks to answer a question that seeks to
explain the relationship between the subject and the hypothesis in detail
Exploratory – Used when exploring a relationship between the subject and
the hypothesis that has no clear set of possible outcomes.
Multiple-case studies – Study that enables the researcher to explore
differences within and/or between cases.
Intrinsic Case Study – The researcher has an interest in the case study; their
intent is to understand the case better.
Instrumental Case Study – Used to accomplish something more than just
understanding a particular situation.
Collective Case Study – Case studies that are similar in nature and
description to other case studies.
4. Primitive Investigative Method
Humans have been using the method of case studies for
thousands of year by observing a person or small group
of people in certain situations and coming to conclusions
based on the data.
Early forms of the case study were used as a method of
observing phenomenon before the scientific method was
officially established.
Ex: Aristotle (384–322 BCE) known for devising methods for
trying to arrive at reliable knowledge based on observation.
5. History: Frederic Le Play
Founded by Frederic Le Play in 1829 as a handmaiden to statistics
in his studies of family budgets and financial situations of the
influential royal families.
Beginning in the early 1900s, lasting until1935, The Chicago School
was known to be the best in the field of case study methodology
One on those influential leaders was Robert Park
As a reporter, Park had a method of description of local events
that pointed to major social trends
stressed the variety and value of human experience.
He believed that sociology sought to arrive at natural laws and
generalizations about human nature and society, with a constant
possibility of change
Encouraged students to go out side to view the constant
experiment of human experience.
6. Strengths
The researcher has more control over the situation
or experiment being studies. Because of that it is
often used in the field of medicine, business,
finances, education, and psychology.
Can easily manipulate independent variables of the
study
Can easily create identical environments in
controlled studies
Allows researcher to gather more details about the
subject in relation to the hypothesis.
7. Criticism
Considered to be unscientific by some
pro-quantitative researches and
scientists.
The specific nature of their descriptions
makes it difficult to make
generalizations based on the data.
8. Using a Simulated Mass Casualty
Incident to Teach Response
Readiness: A Case Study
BACKGROUND: Recent disaster events highlight the to improve students'
knowledge of disaster readiness. Nursing education struggles with the delivery of
effective and impactful teaching methods for disaster response.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of using a simulated
mass casualty incident (MCI) and Web-based resources to teach the application
of disaster nursing concepts
METHOD: 63 nursing students were evaluated on their ability and perceived
readiness to respond after they participated in a disaster educational session
and simulated MCI.
RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative data showed that students developed an
increased ability in critical thinking, working as a functional part of a medical
team, and learning from their mistakes when responding to a simulated MCI.
CONCLUSION: A varied approach of moralistic, Web-based, and simulation
education is effective in improving student's perceived readiness for disaster
response.
Author – Shannon CC
9. Conclusion
Application in the context of my investigation of how the film Shoot ‘Em Up affects the
ideas, behavior, and morality of young adults.
Type: Exploratory Multiple-case study
I would observe a few students watching the movie Shoot ‘Em Up individually and ask
them questions. Then I would observe a different group of students watching the movie
together and ask them questions in the setting of an open group discussion instead of
individually.
Ask them the same questions before and after the movie pertaining to areas of ideas about
violence, gender roles, morals and ethics, and what they consider esthetically appealing
Ask them how they would react if they were in a similar situation as the main character
before and after they watch the movie.
Observe their physical reactions (facial expressions, body language, etc.) to certain scenes
which contain violence, sex, or exciting events as they watch individually.
Observe their physical reactions (facial expressions, body language, etc.) to certain scenes
which contain violence, sex, or exciting events as they watch in a group.
I would compare the data, as well as analyze the difference in the before and after
questions. I would also explore the differences or similarities between the individual results
10. Bibliography
Anwar, Hina. "Case Study." Powerpoint. 2012. http://www.slideshare.net/hinanwr/case-
study-final-14970834
Baxter, P., Jack, S. (2008). Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and
Implementation for Novice Researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544-559.
Bronwyn Becker, Patrick Dawson, Karen Devine, Carla Hannum, Steve Hill, Jon Leydens,
Debbie Matuskevich, Carol Traver, and Mike Palmquist.. (1994 - 2012). Case Studies.
Writing@CSU. Colorado State University. Available at
http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=60.
CC, Shannon. "Using a Simulated Mass Casualty Incident to Teach Response Readiness:
A Case Study." The Journal of Nursing Education (2015).
Frederic Le Play. 1 April 2015
https://sites.google.com/site/mcdonaldcasestudy/home/frederic-le-play.
Scientific Method History. 1 April 2015 http://scientificmethod.com/sm5_smhistory.html.
Wikipedia. Case Study . Ed. Wikipedia. 1 April 2015
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_study#History_of_the_case_study.
