Case Studies

"I have yet to find any other consultant who practices with as much integrity and conscientiousness as Susan does. Her skill reflects not only her intellectual understanding of the principles that define this field of practice, but also a deeply rooted sensitivity to the intra-and inter-personal processes that come into play." --Doug Easterling PhD, Wake Forest University

Description

A case study is an in-depth look at one case: one person, one program, one group or organization. Case studies allow us to examine the case at length and learn things about it that would be difficult to learn in any other way. For example, we may know the statistics for teen pregnancy, understand the psychosocial impacts of early parenting, and the cost benefit of preventing early pregnancy. But none of the statistics or generalizations can reveal to us the deeply unique story of any one pregnant teen. Case studies do that.

In essence, each case helps us understand the complexities and nuances of the individual, program, or group. Unlike sampling research, case studies are not conducted for their generalizability. They do, however,help us gain a deeper understanding of issues and adjust or refine any generalizations we have already made. Case studies appeal to different set of sensibilities in trying to answer our questions about a particular issue.

Case Selection

Most often, case studies are conducted in multiples called collective case studies. The first criterion for selection of cases must be to maximize what we can learn from them.* Depending on the intent of the study, cases selected may be typical, atypical, unusual, unique, interesting, perplexing, or a combination thereof. Second only to optimization of what we can learn, balance and variety are important goals to try to achieve in selecting cases.

Method

Although several sources may be tapped for case study data, the interview is one of the richest and most commonly used methods to gather case study information. In addition to interviewing the individual or individuals at the center of the case, relevant others are also interviewed. Observations and a review of pertinent documents round out the information gathering. Documents might include meeting minutes, news stories, tracking data, journal entries, organizational plans, etc.

Case study interviews are organized around conceptual issues rather than a specific set questions. Some of the best questions evolve during the interview, or because of it, and should not be preempted or stifled by a rigid question guide. Instead a minimal set of broad, flexible questions with a focus on the central issue serve as a loose framework for inquiry. This allows opportunity to unravel complexities and uncover unanticipated facets.

Validity of case studies derives from several types of triangulation built into the process--triangulation of multiple methods, multiple observers, multiple interviewees, multiple data sources, or multiple themes. Convergence of data, whether generated by two observers independently coming up with the same interpretation or from the coincidence of an interviewee's comments with documented data, generate increased confidence in the accuracy of findings and also adds to the ultimate believability and usefulness of case study results.

An Example

Below is an example of a case study I conducted. (See more examples of my work.)

Case Studies with Parenting Teens, Conducted for the Aurora Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in Aurora Colorado

Study Participants: Young women enrolled in a case management program for pregnant and parenting teens
Use: Add a human face to the quantitative collected on pregnant teens

It is important to remember that not all pregnant teens walk the same path. Many demonstrate a resiliency and a sense of self-efficacy that manifests despite or, in some cases, because of the odds placed against them. I was hired by Aurora Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (Aurora, Colorado) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of their case management program. The quantitative data we collected was good for describing program activities and outcomes in numeric terms but could not begin to describe the complexities and nuances in the life of a pregnant or parenting teen. To get at the whole story I conducted case studies with five very different young women enrolled in the program, each expressing their own brand of resiliency.

*The Art of Case Study Research by Robert E. Stake