Criteria for Evaluating the Quality of a Case Study Dr. Chris Peterson Michigan State University Case Studies Workshop, AAEA 2002

Issues n What criteria can be used to judge case studies? –Teaching/decision cases vs. research cases –Publication vs. “process” standards Publication of decision cases: Lyford, Beierlein, & Harding, IFAMR, 3(2000) Research process: Yin, Sage Publications n When will a good teaching case make a good research case & vice versa?

1. High Relevance of Purpose n Teaching –Goal: Stimulate student learning –Engaging and “hot” for students –Current (less than 5 years old) n Research –Goal: Create or test knowledge –Clear contribution for peers –Relevant (even if 100 years old)

2. High Value for Purpose n Teaching –Consistent with learning objectives –Believable –Understandable by students –Self-contained information base in the body of the case n Research –Consistent with research questions –Credible –Understandable by peers –Proper signals that information base is complete and objective

3. Proper Preparation Methods n Teaching –Field based (should) –Single or multiple units of analysis –Single situation, not multiple –Data confirmation –Completeness of data collection –Collection & analysis can be co-mingled n Research –Field based (must) –Single or multiple units of analysis –Single or multiple situations –Data triangulation –Completeness and objectivity of data –Collection & analysis kept separate

4. Proper Presentation n Teaching –Learning objectives/ study questions –Case organized by time and topic –Analysis based on decision process –Decision as end point –Teaching note (pts. 1, 3, 4 above) distinct from case n Research –Theoretical foundation –Case organized by research questions –Analysis based on induction or deduction –Findings/contribution as end point –Journal article includes theory, case, analysis/findings

When will a good teaching case make a good research case & vice versa? n Teaching case  research case when the teaching case is based on a preparation method that meets the higher data integrity standard of a research case. n Research case  teaching case when the research case is based on a preparation method that meets the higher currency standard of a teaching case.

Criteria for Judging a Case n Criteria –High relevance of purpose –High value for purpose –Proper preparation methods Reviewer/user must judge this from other three. –Proper presentation n The criteria do differ for a teaching case and a research case, but they can be reconciled.