Case Study Methodologies

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the case study method has attained routine status as a viable method for doing education research especially for investigating topics not easily covered by other methods. The author stresses that the primary concern is that many sources should be used for gathering data because, in collecting case study data, the main idea is to establish converging lines of evidence. The paper presents details on issues relating to the conducting of qualitative and qualitative case studies. Examples of this type of research are incorporated into the paper.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Theoretical Approach to Research Study and its methodologies
The Purpose of implementing a Case Study Approach
Yin's Approach to Case Study Research
Creswell's Approach to Research Design
George and Bennett Theory Development in Social Science
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The work of Creswell (1994) proposes that advantages exist for a researcher combining methods for gaining a better understanding of the phenomena or concept being tested or explored. Full interpretation is more likely when combining qualitative and quantitative research. The pilot study is important according to Creswell (1994) in that data from the pilot study may be used to enhance the validity of survey/questionnaires and assist in refining these for the study. According to Creswell (2003) qualitative research is exploratory in nature and used by researchers in examining topics in which the variables and theory base are not known."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Audet, Michael (2005) Teacher Professional Growth Plans: A Case Study of the Chilliwack School District. 21 April 2005. Online available at: http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/retrieve/2221/etd1914.pdf
• Lenz, Pamela A. (2005) Perceived Influence on School Effectiveness: Chapters I-III. January 2005. Online available at: http://www.education.duq.edu/pdf/Talking_Paper-Lenz.pdf
• Atkinson, M. and Armstrong, K. (nd) Information and Elearning design and practice lessons learned form the students experience of elearning. Online available at: http://web-dev-csc.gre.ac.uk/conference/conf32/presentations/armstrong_atkinson.ppt
• Weiss, Heather B. (1997) Interview with Robert K. Yin - The Information Exchange Vol. III, No. 1: Harvard Family Research Project. Online available at: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~hfrp/content/eval/issue7/eval7.pdf
• Creswell, J. W. (1994), Research Design Qualitative & Quantitative Approaches. SAGE Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, California.

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