案例研究设计与方法Case Study Research Design and Methods文档格式.docx

1、2） Extent of control over behavioural events: when investigator has a little/no possibility to control the events 3） General circumstances of the phenomenon to be studied: contemporary phenomenon in a real-life context , Case study is an empirical inquiry, in which:-Focus is on a contemporary phenom

2、enon within its real-life context &boundaries between phenomenon and its context are not clearly evident , Suitable for studying complex social phenomena -Procedural characteristics in the situation include: Many variables of interest; multiple sources of evidence; theoretical propositions to guide

3、the collection and analysis of data -Types of case studies might be: explanatory; exploratory; descriptive -Designs can be single- or multiple-case studies -Used methods can be qualitative, quantitative, or both , Typical criticisms towards case studies & correcting answers:-Lack of systematic handl

4、ing of data - Systematic reporting of all evidence -No basis for scientific generalization - Purpose is to generalize to theoretical propositions, not to population as in statistical research -Take too long, end up with unreadable documents - Time limits & writing formula depend on the choices of in

5、vestigators Case study research design , Central components of a case study design & their functions:1） A studys questions “how”, “why” 2） Studys （theoretical） propositions pointing attention, limiting scope, suggesting possible links between phenomena 3） Studys units of analysis main units must be

6、at the same level as the study questions & typically comparable to those previously studied 4） Logic linking the data to the propositions matching pieces of information to rival patterns that can be derived from the propositions 5） Criteria for interpreting the findings iteration between proposition

7、s and data, matching sufficiently contrasting rival patterns to data; there is no precise way of setting the criteria 1 Research design links the data to be collected and conclusions to be drawn to the initial questions of the study it provides a conceptual framework & an action plan for getting fro

8、m questions to set of conclusions. , Preliminary theory & blueprint of the study: having solved the five steps mentioned above leads to the formation of a loose theory & a blueprint related to the topic of study -Initial theory & understanding of what is being studied is necessary before any field c

9、ontacts; the complete research design embodies a “theory” of what is being studied , Deciding between explanatory, exploratory and descriptive designs:-Depends on the richness of the rival propositions in theories related to the topic of the study; richest theories allow explanatory designs - Search

10、 for theoretical propositions that can be elaborated to cover study questions, propositions, units of analysis, data-proposition links & criteria of interpretation Reviewing literature, discussing with investigators, asking challenging questions, thinking what is to be learned from the study Being a

11、ware of the range of theories & selecting the required level （individual, organization, societal） Construction of the design / conceptual framework takes time & can be difficult, but is a crucial step for the success of the study , Selection of the cases:-Cases should be selected in the same way as

12、the topic of an experiment is selected Developed preliminary theory is used as a template with which to compare the characteristics & empirical findings from the case（s） Selected cases should reflect characteristics & problems identified in the underlying theoretical propositions / conceptual framew

13、ork , The level of generalization of the study results = appropriately developed preliminary theory / study design -Mode of generalization = theory-related analytic generalization, not statistical -Analytic generalization possible from one or more cases HOW MANY OF CASES & UNITS OF ANALYSIS?1） Case

14、represents somehow the interesting topic of the study empirically （e.g. the role of the United States in the world economy） 2） Unit of analysis is the actual source of information: individual, organizational document, artifact, for example （e.g. the capital flow between countries, an economic policy） 1） Cases:A） Single cases if case seems to represent a critical test to existing theory;rare or unique events - Important to select case & unit of analysis properly 2 B） Multiple cases if a “replication logic” is supposed to reveal sup