Module 1 – Case

Introduction to case study design and methodology

Case Assignment

Find an example of case study research work for critical analysis. The case study work may be a book, journal article, a dissertation, or technical report on a topic of interest. You will make the best use of your time if you choose a study that relates to a topic you might be interested in studying in depth in your Doctoral Study project as proposed in the SLP. In a 6-page essay, address the following questions:

1. Why is this classified as a case study? Is it a descriptive, explanatory, or exploratory study?
2. Identify the four key components of the research design:

1. What is the research question?
2. What propositions are suggested?
3. What is the unit of analysis?
4. How is the data linked to the propositions?

1. Identify the theoretical framework for the study and assess the quality of the study in terms of validity and reliability.

Assignment Expectations

Your 6-page essay must follow APA formatting and demonstrate clarity, depth, and critical thinking. As you answer the questions posed in this case, include supporting rationale and cited sources.

Module 1 – Background

introduction to case study design and methodology

The following readings are required for Module 1. Optional readings can be found at the end of this section and while not required, may help you understand the material better and be useful to you if you choose to conduct a case study research method for your doctoral study. All readings can be accessed in the Trident Online Library, unless linked to another source or otherwise noted.

The Case Study as a Research Method

This module begins with an overview of the case study method, how this method differs from other types of research, the types of topics that are well suited for case studies, and compares the main types of case studies used for research.

Introduction

Read Chapter 1 of Yin (2017). It is not available in the Trident Online Library, but can be purchased or rented from Amazon. Any edition (6th or prior) is acceptable.

Yin, R.K. (2017). Introduction. In Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Flyvbjerg, B. (2006). Five misunderstandings about case-study research. Qualitative Inquiry, 12(2), 219-245. (Trident Library, Sage Research Methods database).

Gagnon, Y. (2010). Stage 1: Assessing appropriateness and usefulness. In The Case Study As Research Method : A Practical Handbook (pp. 11-18). Québec [Que.]: Les Presses de l’Université du Québec (EBSCO ebook Collection)

Case Study Design

We continue with an exploration of case study design. This section begins with a consideration of research questions and units of analysis, followed by the role of implicit or explicit theory in driving the research, considerations of quality (validity and reliability), and ending with the selection of single versus multiple case study designs and mixed methods.

Yin, R.K. (2017). Designing case studies. In Case Study Research: Design and Methods (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Baxter, P. & Jack, S. (2008). Qualitative case study methodology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13 (4), 544-559. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1573&context=tqr

Gagnon, Y. (2010). Stage 2: Ensuring accuracy of results. In The Case Study As Research Method : A Practical Handbook (pp. 19-36). Québec [Que.]: Les Presses de l’Université du Québec (EBSCO ebook Collection)

Optional

Farquhar, J. D. (2012). Quality in case study research. In Case study research for business (pp. 100-112). London, UK: SAGE Publications Ltd

Gibbs, G., Clark, D., Taylor, C., Silver, C., & Lewins, A. (n.d.). Welcome to Online QDA. Retrieved November 25, 2016, from http://onlineqda.hud.ac.uk/

Moeller, J. D., Dattilo, J., & Rusch, F. (2015). Applying quality indicators to single-case research designs used in special education: A systematic review. Psychology in the Schools, 52(2), 139-153

Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Case Study Protocol and Preparing to Collect Data

In Module 2, we will examine the steps of collecting and analyzing case study data, but there is much to be done (and learned) before data collection. Thus, in this final section of module one, we look at how to prepare for a case study, ethical considerations and procedures for protecting human subjects, and developing a protocol.

Yin, R.K. (2017). Preparing to Collect Case Study Data. In Case Study Research: Design and Methods (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

The Belmont Report: Ethical principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.html (Links to an external site)

Gagnon, Y. (2010). Stage 3 : Preparation. In The Case Study As Research Method : A Practical Handbook (pp. 37-48). Québec [Que.]: Les Presses de l’Université du Québec (EBSCO ebook Collection)

Optional:

Gagnon, Y. (2010). Stage 4 : Selecting cases. In The Case Study As Research Method : A Practical Handbook (pp. 49-54). Québec [Que.]: Les Presses de l’Université du Québec (EBSCO ebook Collection)

Farquhar, J. D. (2012). Developing your case study research strategy. In Case study research for business (pp. 30-48). London: SAGE Publications Ltd. (Trident Library, Sage Research Methods database).

Farquhar, J. D. (2012). Access and ethics in case study research. In Case study research for business (pp. 49-64). London: SAGE Publications Ltd. (Trident Library, Sage Research Methods database).

Mills, A. J., Durepos, G. & Wiebe, E. (2010). Encyclopedia of case study research Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd (Trident Library, Sage Research Methods database).

Yilmaz, K. (2013). Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Traditions: epistemological, theoretical, and methodological differences. European Journal of Education, 48(2), 311-325. (Trident Library Academic Search Complete)