Case Study Research on Language Learning and Use

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 233-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Duff
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Teaching Learning

Case study research has played a very important role in applied linguistics since the field was established, particularly in studies of language teaching, learning, and use. The case in such studies generally has been a person (e.g., a teacher, learner, speaker, writer, or interlocutor) or a small number of individuals on their own or in a group (e.g., a family, a class, a work team, or a community of practice). The cases are normally studied in depth in order to provide an understanding of individuals’ experiences, issues, insights, developmental pathways, or performance within a particular linguistic, social, or educational context. Rather than discuss constructs, hypotheses, and findings in terms of statistical patterns or trends derived from a larger sample or survey of a population of language learners, as in some quantitative research, a qualitative case study of a person presents a contextualized human profile. Case study has contributed substantially to theory development, generating new perspectives or offering a refutation or refinement of earlier theories in applied linguistics by analyzing linguistic, cultural, and social phenomena associated with children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults.In recent years, the purview of case studies in applied linguistics has expanded to include many previously underrepresented topics, linguistic situations, theoretical perspectives, and populations. This article provides an overview of some traditional areas of coverage and then newer foci in terms of methodology, thematic areas, and findings pertaining to language learners in transnational, multilingual, and diaspora contexts especially.

Case Selection and Hypothesis Testing

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Goertz ◽  
James Mahoney
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Causal Inference ◽  
Hypothesis Testing ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Causal Models ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Case Selection ◽  
Study Selection

This chapter discusses quantitative and qualitative practices of case-study selection when the goal of the analysis is to evaluate causal hypotheses. More specifically, it considers how the different causal models used in the qualitative and quantitative research cultures shape the kind of cases that provide the most leverage for hypothesis testing. The chapter examines whether one should select cases based on their value on the dependent variable. It also evaluates the kinds of cases that provide the most leverage for causal inference when conducting case-study research. It shows that differences in research goals between quantitative and qualitative scholars yield distinct ideas about best strategies of case selection. Qualitative research places emphasis on explaining particular cases; quantitative research does not.

scholarly journals From HRM to Employment Rules and Lifestyles. Theory Development through Qualitative Case Study Research into the Creative Industries

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Haunschild ◽  
Doris Ruth Eikhof
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Employment System ◽  
Theoretical Reasoning ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

In contrast to result-driven publications in which the academic narrative constructs the process of data analysis and the conceptual framework as purposefully designed and inevitably leading to the findings, this article will take a closer look at the concrete development of interpretative schemes and the openness of this process. We will do so by referring to an extensive empirical study of the German theatrical employment system. Following the course of our research project, the article will explicate and discuss (1) the decision for conducting qualitative rather than quantitative research, (2) the identification and definition of ‘what is the case’ and how this decision was influenced by ongoing data interpretation and changing and new theoretical inputs, and (3) the question of the generalisability of our findings. The main focus of the article, however, will be to explore the relationship between data and theory. We hope to encourage researchers to creatively use the inherent openness of data interpretation, and we argue that the freedom of qualitative research can only be used in a productive way if methodological decisions and data interpretations are driven by theoretical reasoning.

scholarly journals Being an Insider Researcher While Conducting Case Study Research

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sema Unluer
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Teaching Learning

It is crucial for social researchers to clarify their researchers’ roles, especially for those utilizing qualitative methodology to make their research credible. The purpose of this paper is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the researcher’s insider role, an instructor, occupied within case study research on the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the teaching-learning process at the School for the Handicapped (SfH) in Turkey. In this respect the author will demonstrate and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being an insider-researcher considering the researcher’s role, determining the case, the aim and research questions of the study, issues of the research design, the collection and analysis of data, ethical issues and reporting the data. Each theme is discussed concerning the advantages and disadvantages of being an insider researcher. The researcher concluded that in order to conduct valid research a researcher must overcome some of the disadvantages with the help of several preventions. The results have been discussed in the light of related literature and the whole data.

Paying Attention to the Trees in the Forest, or a Call to Examine Agency-Specific Stories

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen V. Rubin ◽  
Keith P. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Diversity Management ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative

Public administration scholarship needs to strike a better balance between large sample studies and in-depth case studies. The availability of large data sets has led us to engage in empirical research that is broad in scope but is frequently devoid of rich context. In-depth case studies can help to explain why we observe particular relationships and can help us to clarify gaps and inconsistencies in theory. Our argument for more case studies aims to encourage researchers to bridge insights from qualitative and quantitative research through triangulation. We describe the value of case study research, and qualitative and quantitative design options. We then propose opportunities for case study research in public personnel scholarship on patronage pressures, performance management, and diversity management.

scholarly journals Understanding Trainers Implementing their Occupational Skill in Delivering Training

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 50-53
Author(s):  
Pashupati Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Research Design ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Limited Time ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Occupational Skill

The objective of this study was to understand the vocational instructional implementation of occupational skill while delivering hardware maintenance training in Kavraplanchok district of Nepal. A case study research design was applied while carrying out this study. All together five participants were purposefully selected for the study. The study reveals that the training was taken for granted by the trainees. Lack of equipment, tools and resources, same teaching learning methodology, focus on tradition lecture methods and limited time frame were the hindering factor during the implementation of occupational skills by the trainers.

scholarly journals Designing, writing-up and reviewing case study research: an equifinality perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrien Verleye
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Service Community ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Several researchers struggle with designing, writing-up and reviewing case study research, but constructing a template for describing and justifying methodological choices is – in contrast with quantitative research – undesirable due to the creative nature of qualitative research. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the multitude of paths to rigorous case study research and promote rigorous case study research in the service community. Design/methodology/approach Based upon a review of seminal articles and textbooks, different paths to rigorous case study research are identified. Subsequently, these paths are compared with existing practices in case studies in service research published between March 2017 and April 2019. Findings Seminal articles and textbooks detail different paths to achieve rigor with regard to research purpose, design, data, analyses and write-up. Overall, the most popular paths in the service community are those proposed by Eisenhardt and Yin. Meanwhile, service researchers increasingly challenge the dichotomy between the inductive and deductive logic by choosing an abductive logic. Transparency and reflexivity are the main points of attention among service researchers doing case study research. Originality/value By providing insight into the multitude of paths to rigorous case study research along with their popularity in the service community, this paper helps service researchers to balance rigor and creativity when engaging in case study research. Additionally, this paper offers a framework for reviewing case study research in terms of rigor and creativity.

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