This week we talked a lot about how dependent case studies are of the competence of the researcher. With Case studies you are exposed to huge amounts of data which might result in "unobjective " analysis of the data collected. Eisennhart commented on this and emphasized on that for a case study research, it is preferred that there are several researchers who are appointed to different kinds of methods such as quantitative or qualitative methods.
Leif mentioned that there are similarities with police investigation and case studies which is pretty interesting. I believe that a lot of the research methods in the academic world can be applied to other areas.
Also we talked about the randomness of case studies. Sometimes when people have a 'hunch' of something and follow it up they make very important discoveries put sometimes it results in a dead end. It is important as a researcher to be able to "kill your darlings" in order for you to be able to continue and produce a successful research.
Leif mentioned that there are similarities with police investigation and case studies which is pretty interesting. I believe that a lot of the research methods in the academic world can be applied to other areas.
Also we talked about the randomness of case studies. Sometimes when people have a 'hunch' of something and follow it up they make very important discoveries put sometimes it results in a dead end. It is important as a researcher to be able to "kill your darlings" in order for you to be able to continue and produce a successful research.
Hi,
SvaraRaderaIt is nice reflection you have there.
I agree with you that in case study research we must limit the number of the case we want to observe. Because with this limitation, it can help us to maintain the amount of data we gather for the research.
Furthermore, from the Eisenhardt article and the seminar I learned that when conduct case study research, we must limit the number of cases between 4 to 10. It is possible to have a smaller number of cases, but it will only create a weak theory which only focus to certain condition. But, if we have too many cases, it may look as you said in the reflection, it can make the analysis result become "unobjective".
But, I am not sure about "kill your darling" in order for you to be able to continue and produce a successful research. Is it really necessary to do that :)
That's interesting. Leif didn't talk about police investigations on our seminar but now that you mention it it makes a lot of sence. Since if your're a police you may have a lot of experience from previous similar cases, but you still have to be rather objective about each new case not to miss important knowledge, details or evidence. So in inductive ways of learning I think (opposed to previous writer) that it is essential to "kill your darlings" to make the observation pure and objective, and for propoting best conditions for learning new things.
SvaraRaderaHi Noa,
SvaraRaderaI totally agree with you about that research methods in the academic world can be applied to other areas. I’ve never been thinking in that kind of way before this seminar with Leif. To be conscious about the fact that it might be good and helpful to apply the method of case study in other areas will help me in future projects and works. I think it can be good in future when you trying to for instance make a team or group of people more effective or to a better team.