Text 4. Case Study 1 страница

A case study is one of several ways of doing social science research. It may include experiments, surveys, multiple histories and analysis of archival information. Rather than using samples and following a rigid protocol to examine limited number of variables, case study methods involve a single instance or event- a case.

It provides a systematic way of looking at events, collecting data, analysing information, and reporting the results. As a result the researcher may gain a sharpened understanding of why the instance happened as it did, and what might become important in further research.

As a distinct approach to research, the use of case studies originated only in the early 20th century. Case studies have also been used as a teaching method and as part of professional development, especially in business and legal education. When the Harvard Business School was started, the faculty quickly realised that there were no textbooks suitable to a graduate program in business. Their first solution to this problem was to interview leading practitioners of business and to write detailed accounts of what these managers were doing.

Of course the professors could not present these cases as practices for studies because there were no criteria available for determining what would succeed and what would not succeed. So the professors instructed their students to read the cases and to come to class prepared to discuss the them and to offer recommendations for appropriate courses of action. Later this method of case studies was taken from business schools to be applied to public administration.

Case studies for public administration teach students of what they ought to do and what they should not in managing public agencies. There exist detailed cases of administrative functions for the industrialised world and highly effective cases of comparative administration.

Answer the questions:

1. What is a case study?

2. What does a case study consist of?

3. What principles do case study methods use?

4. What results may researchers gain studying a case?

5. When were the first cases applied?

6. What did the Harvard Business School mange to realize soon after its opening?

7. What was the first solution of Harvard teachers?

8. Why could not professors present the first cases for studies?

9. How did professors instruct their students?

10. What cases for public administration can you name?