Participant Observations The researcher may play a variety of roles within a case situation and may actually participate in the events being studied The researcher(if an insider) may be able to gain access to events or groups that are otherwise inaccessible to investigation However, researchers may be biased An insider-researcher cannot also be an independent outsider They could become a supporter or defender Having both an outsider and an insider in the same research team can be an advantage
11 Participant Observations • The researcher may play a variety of roles within a case situation and may actually participate in the events being studied. • The researcher (if an insider) may be able to gain access to events or groups that are otherwise inaccessible to investigation. • However, researchers may be biased. – An insider-researcher cannot also be an independent outsider. – They could become a supporter or defender. • Having both an outsider and an insider in the same research team can be an advantage
Documents. archives Artifacts Current organisational documents Policies, practices, templates Historical archive records Past practices, reports on past projects Artifacts include physical objects like certificates, awards. etc These three forms of data are useful for corroborating evidence from other sources
12 Documents, Archives & Artifacts • Current organisational documents – Policies, practices, templates • Historical archive records – Past practices, reports on past projects • Artifacts include physical objects like certificates, awards, etc. • These three forms of data are useful for corroborating evidence from other sources
Principles of Data Collection 1 Use multiple sources of evidence There are many opportunities to collect evidence from multiple sources And so address a broader range of historical and observational issues By developing a holistic understanding of a case, you can triangulate findings better If different sources support the same conclusion, then the conclusion Is stronger Also, it will be easier to ground a new theory from a richer data set
13 Principles of Data Collection 1 • Use multiple sources of evidence – There are many opportunities to collect evidence from multiple sources – And so address a broader range of historical and observational issues. – By developing a holistic understanding of a case, you can triangulate findings better • If different sources support the same conclusion, then the conclusion is stronger – Also, it will be easier to ground a new theory from a richer data set
Principles of Data Collection 2 Create a case study database The lack of a formal database for most case study efforts is a major shortcoming of case study research Four components should be contained in a case study database Notes(including interview data) Documents( corporate) Tabular materials(e.g. from surveys) Narratives(stories; diaries)
14 Principles of Data Collection 2 • Create a case study database – The lack of a formal database for most case study efforts is a major shortcoming of case study research. – Four components should be contained in a case study database • Notes (including interview data) • Documents (corporate) • Tabular materials (e.g. from surveys) • Narratives (stories; diaries)
Principles of Data collection 3 Maintain a chain of evidence This is to allow an external observer - the reader of the case study for example-to follow the derivation of any evidence from initial research questions to ultimate case study conclusions It means that you need to know who said what If you are anonymising people, give them a numerical code or a pseudonym P450rK13
15 Principles of Data Collection 3 • Maintain a chain of evidence – This is to allow an external observer - the reader of the case study for example - to follow the derivation of any evidence from initial research questions to ultimate case study conclusions. – It means that you need to know who said what – If you are anonymising people, give them a numerical code or a pseudonym • P45 or K13