Objectives

After completing this module you will be able to:

• Formulate research questions that are appropriate for case study designs;
• Determine when a case study design is appropriate;
• Distinguish between the many uses of the term case study and its use with reference to a research design;
• Assess the reliability, explanatory power, and internal and external validity of case studies, based on the criteria for a research design rather than other uses of the term;
• Develop sampling strategies for case study designs;
• Create case study designs.

Assigned Readings

Yin, R.K. (2009) Case Study Research. 4th Edition. Chapter 2, Designing Case Studies: Identifying Your Cases and Establishing the Logic of Your Case Study, pp. 24-65. E-reserve This is a very critical reading!

Swisher - Case Study Designs

DeVaus -- optional -- Ch. 13 & 14

Recommended Readings

Perakla, A. (2004) Reliability and validity in research based on naturally occurring social interaction. In D. Silverman (Ed.), Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice (pp. 283-304). London: Sage Publications. E-reserve

Rubaie, T. (2002) The rehabilitation of the case-study method. European Journal of Psychotherapy, Counselling and Health 5(1), 31-47.

Lloyd-Jones, G. (2003) Design and control issues in qualitative case study research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods 2(2), 14 pp.

Learning Guide: Case Studies

Other Advance Preparation
None