- designed to teach people a new concept or
the application of a theory
- very interactive, with lots of discussion
A set of facts is presented and discussed, placing the
student or participant in a situation where a decision needs to be made.
Ideally, the group works together to determine the best way to proceed
in a given situation. In some cases, the case study may be made up, intended
so that the group reaches a specific conclusion. If there is a solution
to the problem or question being presented, it is generally presented
separately.
The Teaching Case Study (when presented orally), usually
follows this format:
Presentation of the facts
The person presenting the case study gives a brief
description of the individual or situation, including what has been done
up to this point. In a tobacco-related case study, this could include
the person's previous quit attempts, tobacco use pattern, and barriers
to quitting.
Discussion
The group then discusses the case and how they
might proceed based on the information presented. The presenter may provide
additional information as needed. In a classroom setting, the instructor
may provide hints about possible theories that may apply. Members of the
group often relate similar cases from their own experience.
Solution
If the case study presented is based on fact,
the instructor generally concludes by presenting what course of action
was taken and the result. In some cases, the situation presented may be
ongoing and the presenter will be unable to present results. If the case
study is made up, the instructor may review the specific theory being
used and how it applied to that case.
Research Case Studies
A Research Case Study is:
- a complete report of what happened in a specific
instance
- sometimes used to present the results of a research
study
- typically longer than a Teaching Case Study, frequently
running into a number of pages or a lengthy oral presentation
Rather than being a participant in the case, as happens
in the teaching case study, the participant is only an observer hearing
what happened. Because they are much less interactive than Teaching
Case Studies, Research Case Studies are more often used in lecture or
reporting situations. |
