This text offers new insights into the case study as a tool of educational research and suggest how it can be a prime research strategy for developing educational theory which illuminates policy and enhances practice. Several different kinds of educational case study are identified, namely: theory seeking; theory-testing; story-telling; picture-drawing; and evaluative case study. Readers are taken through the various stages in conducting case study research, including a helpful account of data collection and data analysis methods. Each stage is underpinned by the concepts of trustworthiness and respect for persons. Cover 1 CASE STUDY RESEARCH IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS 2 Copyright - ISBN: 0335199844 5 Contents 6 Series editor's preface 9 Preface 14 Part I - Reconstruction of educational case study 16 1 Why educational case study should be reconstructed 18 2 An example of a theory-seeking case study leading to fuzzy propositions 29 3 What is case study? 37 4 Locating educational case study on the map of research in education 52 5 How some case study research can be disseminated through fuzzy generalization and professional discourse 63 6 Educational case study as a prime strategy for developing educational theory which illuminates educational policy and enhances educational practice 72 7 Methods of enquiry and the conduct of case study research 80 Part II Examples of case studies 108 8 The Nottinghamshire Staff Development Project 1985-1987: a story-telling case study about an evaluation 110 9 Classroom organization in primary schools: a story-telling case study about three theory-seeking case studies and a theory-testing survey 131 10 What it is like to be a student on final teaching practice: a picture-drawing case study of fiction firmly based on fact 173 References 189 Index 192 Back cover 194 Publisher description: "This book offers new insights into the case study as a tool of educational research and suggests how it can be a prime research strategy for developing educational theory which illuminates policy and enhances practice. Several different kinds of educational case studies are identified, namely: theory-seeking, theory-testing, story-telling, picture-drawing, and evaluative case study and there are substantial examples of each of these. The book develops the author's recent advocacy of fuzzy generalization. Readers are taken through the various stages in conducting case study research, including a helpful account of data collection and data analysis methods. Each stage is underpinned by the concepts of trustworthiness and respect for persons. Structured, narrative and descriptive approaches to writing case study reports are also discussed and the value of conducting an audit is considered. This will be a valuable text for students undertaking Masters and Doctorates in Education as well as staff in University departments of education and teachers carrying out small scale research projects." Michael Bassey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [174]-176) And Index.
