Definition of a Case Study

1. Definition of a Case Study “A case is a factual description of events that actually happened at some point in the past…..It is designed to elicit discussion and analysis of a particular situation.” Naumes & Naumes, p. 10 This definition sounds like a teaching purpose. 1

2. Another Definition “A case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident.” (Yin, p. 13) 2

3. Case Studies for Research • Alternative Research Methods • Quantitative Economics • Theoretical Economics • Business Organization and Strategy • Case Study Methods 3

4. Advantages of Case Study Research • Interesting • Local • Methods may suit the researcher • Study of actual situation in a realistic setting 4

5. Advantages of Case Study Research • Ability to study impact of actions over time • Ability to determine causes (why it happened) • Place the situation in an overall environment • More depth possible than with a survey • Full study of complex process 5

6. Advantages of Case Study Research • Answers questions not suited for aggregate methods • Why? • How? • Example: Mergers and acquisitions 6

7. Advantages of Case Study Researchon Mergers and Acquisitions • Existing academic work on merger activity is large sample and has mixed results. • Case study approach illuminates the following questions: 1.      What factors lead to mergers and acquisitions? 2.      Why does an acquisition succeed or fail? Source: Steven N. Kaplan, ed. Mergers and Productivity, Natl Bureau of Economic Research Conf Rpt., Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 2000. 7

8. Disadvantages of Case Study Research • Difficult to generalize • Difficult to demonstrate reliability • Subjectivity and potential bias • Not widely accepted 8

9. Goals of Research • Explain phenomenon • Evaluate successes and failures • Predict the future • Assist decision-makers to improve their actions 9

10. Approaches to Research • Quantitative Economics • Survey • Market-level data collection • Analysis: Econometrics, “large-sample” statistical techniques • Theoretical Economics • Analytical methods use mathematics • Derive testable hypotheses These are the common modes in economics -business. 10

11. Research design process • Rigorous statistical and quantitative techniques have tended to discount the importance of design • We all do the same thing • Research is driven by data • Case studies require individual design and careful planning 11

12. Types of Research Cases • Descriptive cases Traces a sequence of events and discovers key phenomenon. Provides background on important trends in the economic sector. • Evaluative cases Why was this program successful? 12

13. Types of Research Cases • Explanatory cases Objective is to pose competing explanations for the same set of events. Compare the competing explanations to the actual course of events to find the best explanation. • Decision-focus cases This is most common in business management teaching, less common in research. The case builds up to a decision. 13

14. Review: What is a Case Study? • Definition • A story • Actual events • In their context, industry, time, economy 14

15. Elements of a good story • It has a beginning and an end • It has detail, so the listener can picture what is being described • It has engaging events and/or characters • It has a theme, or a message • It has a style Read Naumes and Naumes, chapter 1; and Yin, chapter 1. 15

16. How Can a Story be Valid Research? • Careful attention to data collection and presentation. • Complete • Unbiased • Relating the events to theory and prior knowledge. • Strong analysis, including quantitative elements. 16

17. Steps in Research Design • Problem definition • Design (planning) • Data collection • Analysis (drawing conclusions) • Composition and reporting 17

18. 1. Problem Definition 18

19. Start with specific hypothesis 19

20. Development of Hypotheses 20

21. Review the literature 21

22. 2. Research Design 22

23. Research strategy Case study Survey Archival These are the methods used to answer the study questions. Research design Specific action plan “A research design is the logic that links the data to be collected (and the conclusions to be drawn) to the initial questions of a study.”(Yin p. 18) Helps assure that the evidence addresses the original research question. Strategy versus design 23

24. Components of Research Design • Questions of the study • Propositions of the study • Unit(s) of analysis • Logic linking the data to the propositions • Criteria for interpreting the findings 24

25. Questions of the Study 25

26. Propositions of the Study 26

27. Unit of Analysis Yes! Cases can have a primary unit of analysis, and an embedded or related unit of analysis. 27

28. Logic Linking Data and Propositions • This is the most difficult concept in case study research. 28

29. Criteria for Interpreting the Findings • There is little guidance in this area. • One thing I have read is: How generalizable? How “representative?” • Look at the farm info case for a quote. 29

30. Quality of Research Design • Construct validity • Internal validity • External validity • Reliability 30

31. Construct validity: • Establishing correct operational procedures. • Avoid subjectivity Example: Bias in selecting case because poor performers will not participate • Select indicators that measure the phenomenon of interest Example: Employment numbers for the acquired firm • Use multiple sources of evidence 31

32. Internal validity: • Establishing a causal relationship • Avoid spurious effects • Use caution in making inferences • Think through any rival explanations and try to rule them out • This will be important for explanatory cases, but not descriptive or exploratory cases 32

33. External validity: • Establish the domain to which conclusions can be generalized • Do not attempt to show statistical generalizability • Generalize case study findings to theory • Replication logic through multiple cases 33

34. Reliability: • Demonstrating that the study can be replicated and the same results would occur • This does not mean doing the same case study over. • It means documenting procedures carefully. • Choose methods that can be defended to a reviewer. • Having established methods improves reliability because biases are minimized. • Use a case study protocol. 34

35. Assignment 1 • Give an example of each of the criteria for judging the quality of research designs, for a case study you might want to do. • Why are we doing this now? 35

36. Assignment 2, 3, 4 • Practice the steps in research design • Critique the research design of published case studies 36

37. Conclusions about Research Design • It is not easy! • Researchers must be flexible in implementing their plans. • However, a plan is essential! • Without a research design, you could end up having worked hard to collect information that does not answer the key questions 37

38. 3. Data Collection • There are six types of data collected in case studies: • 1.Documents. • 2.Archival records. • 3.Interviews. • 4.Direct observation. • 5.Participant observation. • 6. Artifacts. 38

39. Review on Research Design • Objectives of the study are clear. • Research design provides the action plan. • Considerable thought has been applied to the project. • Now it’s time to carry out the data collection phase. 39

40. Six Sources of Evidence • Documentation • Both inside and outside the company • Local library • Government agencies • Companies’ files • Archival records • U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission • State tax records 40

41. Six Sources of Evidence • Interviews • Problems of bias, poor recall, and poor or inaccurate articulation. • Direct observation • Participant-observation • The researcher takes a direct role in the event. Sometimes researcher take a short-term position within the company. • Physical artifacts • Example: Product packages in grocery stores 41

42. Three principles of data collection • Use multiple sources of evidence • Create a case study database • Maintain a chain of evidence • The goal is to allow reader to work backward from the case conclusions to the evidence used in drawing the conclusions. The case study report will include references to the specific documents, interviews, or observations. 42

43. Case Study Protocol • Document that contains the instruments, procedures, and general rules that will be followed in using the instrument. (Instrument refers to questionnaire that will be used in interviews) • It is a tactic that will improve the reliability of the case results. • It is essential in a multiple case project or a project that uses many investigators. 43

44. Sections of the Case Study Protocol • Overview of the project • Field procedures • Case study questions • Guide for the case study report 44

45. Field Procedures-What to Cover • Referrals • If an interview goes well, people are willing to provide a referral. • Is there time and interest in following up? • Documents • Mail home or read now? • Credentials (of researchers) • Business cards for students 45

46. Field Procedures-What to Cover • Locations • Address and directions • Contingencies • What if researchers are late? • What if there is a cancellation-can another person in the company substitute? 46

47. Field Procedures-What to Cover • Note-taking or recording • Observational notes • Theoretical notes • Methodological notes 47

48. Case Study Questions in the Protocol • Reminders for the researchers 48

49. Value of the Case Study Protocol • Unites and trains the research team as it is being prepared. • Requires that researchers anticipate problems. • Can be used in future case studies. 49

50. 4. Analysis • Most difficult phase in research process. • Generalization phase • Goal: address the initial propositions of the study, while treating the evidence fairly • Result: • compelling, interesting conclusions • evidence that rules out competing explanations 50