IMRM 2020 Lecture Slides Lecture 04 4 Logic of Case Studies 1080

Summary

This video lecture introduces qualitative multiple case study research designs, emphasizing the logic behind selecting and structuring cases. It explores the decision between single and multiple case studies, with a focus on holistic versus embedded designs. The lecturer highlights the importance of theoretical foundations and replication logic in shaping research questions and ensuring robust analysis. The lecture also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each case study design and the role of embedded units of analysis in guiding data collection. Ultimately, the video offers valuable insights for designing impactful case study research.

Takeaways

• 😀 Case study research designs, especially multiple case studies, allow for flexibility in understanding complex phenomena through different lenses and perspectives.
• 😀 A case can be identified by both the theoretical framework and the nature of the phenomenon being studied. In the example, the case involves two mission teams for a space launch.
• 😀 Research questions in case studies can vary based on the nature of the phenomenon. For example, questions could focus on leadership, team diversity, or performance within the studied cases.
• 😀 Case study designs can be either holistic (focusing on the case as a whole) or embedded (with focus on specific sub-dimensions of the case). The choice depends on the research goals.
• 😀 Embedded units of analysis, often derived from theoretical foundations, help add structure and focus to the research, especially in single-case studies.
• 😀 Case study research designs can involve multiple cases, each of which can share a common context or have individual contexts, depending on the study design.
• 😀 The replication logic in multiple case studies is crucial: researchers must decide if they expect similar findings across cases (literal replication) or different findings for predictable reasons (theoretical replication).
• 😀 Single case study designs can be risky because they often lack clear direction. However, these designs can be valuable when studying a common or unique case that has significant relevance to a broader phenomenon.
• 😀 Multiple case study designs offer a more robust research approach, especially when combined with embedded units of analysis, which help focus the research on key dimensions and reduce risk of critique.
• 😀 Holistic case study designs, while less structured than embedded designs, can still be successful when the researcher does not yet know which specific aspects of the cases are most important to study.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video tutorial?

The video tutorial focuses on introducing qualitative multiple case study research designs, including the logic behind case study research, as well as the differences between single and multiple case study designs.

Why is the picture of two mission teams used in the tutorial?

The picture of two mission teams is used to illustrate the concept of identifying cases in case study research. It serves as an example to discuss how researchers select and define cases based on the phenomenon under investigation.

How does the researcher identify the cases in the space mission example?

The researcher identifies two cases in the space mission example, which are the two teams of astronauts. Each team is considered a case, with the phenomenon being the space mission itself, involving teams that are trained together and can replace each other if necessary.

What role do theoretical foundations play in identifying cases?

Theoretical foundations help guide the identification of cases by offering a framework for what aspects of the phenomenon are important. Theoretical lenses shape how cases are selected and what dimensions of the cases should be explored in greater detail.

What is the difference between a holistic and an embedded case study design?

A holistic case study design examines the case as a whole, without focusing on specific sub-dimensions. In contrast, an embedded case study design identifies specific sub-units or dimensions of the case that are important to the research question and explores them in more detail.

Why is it important to have embedded units of analysis in a case study?

Embedded units of analysis help add structure and direction to the research by allowing for a deeper exploration of key concepts identified in the literature. They prevent the research from becoming too abstract or undirected, making the analysis more focused and systematic.

What is the common case argument for selecting a single case study?

The common case argument suggests that a single case can represent multiple instances of the same phenomenon, making it unnecessary to study additional cases. The findings from one case can be generalized to similar cases, which is often a counterintuitive rationale for case study research.

What are the risks associated with single case study designs?

Single case study designs risk being too narrow or lacking in generalizability. Without careful planning and a clear rationale for selecting the case, they can fail to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon or lead to incomplete findings.

What is replication logic in multiple case study designs?

Replication logic refers to the expectation of either similar findings across multiple cases (literal replication) or different findings based on predictable reasons (theoretical replication). It is a crucial element in ensuring the robustness and validity of multiple case study research.

Why are multiple case study designs preferred in some research contexts?

Multiple case study designs are preferred because they are highly defendable and produce stronger research results, especially for master's theses. They offer a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon through the analysis of several cases and are easier to justify and validate.