The Case Study ApproachThe Case Study ApproachThe Case Study ApproachThe Case Study Approach

The Use of Case Studies in Information OperationsThe Use of Case Studies in Information OperationsThe Use of Case Studies in Information OperationsThe Use of Case Studies in Information Operations

S. Scott ShieldsS. Scott ShieldsThe Joint Staff, J8The Joint Staff, J8

Warfighting Analysis DivisionWarfighting Analysis DivisionWarfighting Analysis DivisionWarfighting Analysis Division

AgendaAgendaAgendaAgenda

Case study definedCase study definedCase study exampleCase study exampleTypes of case studiesTypes of case studiesWhy are case studies useful?Why are case studies useful?Advantages and disadvantages of the case Advantages and disadvantages of the case g gg gstudy approachstudy approachCase study research design considerationsCase study research design considerationsAnalysis and reportingAnalysis and reporting

What is a case study?What is a case study?What is a case study?What is a case study?

A case study is a research method which allows for an A case study is a research method which allows for an yyinin--depth examination of events, phenomena, or other depth examination of events, phenomena, or other observations within a realobservations within a real--life context for purposes of life context for purposes of investigation, theory development and testing, or simply investigation, theory development and testing, or simply g y p g p yg y p g p yas a tool for learning as a tool for learning

Case studies often employ documents artifactsCase studies often employ documents artifactsCase studies often employ documents, artifacts, Case studies often employ documents, artifacts, interviews, and observations during the course of interviews, and observations during the course of research research

Can be Can be qualitativequalitative, , quantitativequantitative, or a combination of both, or a combination of both

Danish Cartoon ControversyDanish Cartoon ControversyDanish Cartoon ControversyDanish Cartoon ControversyOn 30 September 2005, the On 30 September 2005, the D i hD i h J ll dJ ll dDanish newspaper Danish newspaper JyllandsJyllands--PostenPosten published 12 published 12 editorial cartoons depicting editorial cartoons depicting Muhammad under theMuhammad under theMuhammad under the Muhammad under the heading “The Face of heading “The Face of Muhammad”Muhammad”

Initial reaction was limited to Initial reaction was limited to local protests in Denmarklocal protests in Denmark

Calls for the Danish PM and Calls for the Danish PM and JyllandsJyllands--Posten Posten to apologize to apologize

Internationalizing the IssueInternationalizing the Issue

Radical Danish Imams prepared a dossier to Radical Danish Imams prepared a dossier to

Internationalizing the IssueInternationalizing the Issue

p pp precruit support abroad recruit support abroad Recruited ambassadors from 11 Muslim Recruited ambassadors from 11 Muslim countries to their cause followed by a mediacountries to their cause followed by a mediacountries to their cause followed by a media countries to their cause followed by a media campaigncampaignBy Dec 05, official boycotts of Danish goods, By Dec 05, official boycotts of Danish goods,

t tt t f tf t i t th t i ti t th t i tprotests, protests, fatwasfatwas against the cartoonistsagainst the cartoonistsReactions on a localized basis Reactions on a localized basis –– protestors protestors targeted the Italian embassy in Libya, U.S. fast targeted the Italian embassy in Libya, U.S. fast ta geted t e ta a e bassy bya, U S astta geted t e ta a e bassy bya, U S astfood chains in Pakistan, Bagram AB in food chains in Pakistan, Bagram AB in AfghanistanAfghanistan

AftermathAftermathAftermathAftermathAt least 139 deaths At least 139 deaths –– mostly protesters as a result of mostly protesters as a result of police firing into crowdspolice firing into crowdspolice firing into crowdspolice firing into crowdsDanish embassies in Syria, Lebanon, and Iran were set Danish embassies in Syria, Lebanon, and Iran were set on fireon fireN i d A t i b i l t t dN i d A t i b i l t t dNorwegian and Austrian embassies were also targeted Norwegian and Austrian embassies were also targeted among others…among others…Death threats against the editors of newspapers that Death threats against the editors of newspapers that g p pg p prepublished the cartoons; some cartoonists went into republished the cartoons; some cartoonists went into hidinghiding

Just another day at the office…

Worldwide Reactions to Danish Worldwide Reactions to Danish C t D i ti f M h dC t D i ti f M h dCartoon Depictions of Muhammad Cartoon Depictions of Muhammad

RedRed: violent reactions/deaths: violent reactions/deaths

Bl eBl e n mber of p blications (darker more)n mber of p blications (darker more)BlueBlue: number of publications (darker = more): number of publications (darker = more)

PurplePurple: both publications and violent: both publications and violent reactionsreactions

Source: Wikipedia, 22 Jan 09Source: Wikipedia, 22 Jan 09

Types of Case StudiesTypes of Case StudiesTypes of Case StudiesTypes of Case StudiesExplanatory Explanatory

Generally answers questions of ‘how’ or ‘why’Generally answers questions of ‘how’ or ‘why’Generally answers questions of how or why Generally answers questions of how or why Researcher has little control over actual eventsResearcher has little control over actual eventsFocus is on phenomena in some real life context Focus is on phenomena in some real life context

Descriptive Descriptive Traces the sequence of interpersonal events Traces the sequence of interpersonal events over timeover timeDescribes a culture or subDescribes a culture or sub--culturecultureSeeks to discover key phenomenaSeeks to discover key phenomena

ExploratoryExploratoryExploratory Exploratory Generally begins with questions of ‘what’ or ‘who’ Generally begins with questions of ‘what’ or ‘who’ Often precedes a more inOften precedes a more in--depth study using other methods depth study using other methods (interviews, models, experiments, etc.)(interviews, models, experiments, etc.)

Yin, R.K. (2003). Yin, R.K. (2003). Case Study Research: Design and MethodsCase Study Research: Design and Methods (Third Edition). Sage Publications.(Third Edition). Sage Publications.

Why are case studies useful?Why are case studies useful?Why are case studies useful?Why are case studies useful?

Case studies provide rich raw material forCase studies provide rich raw material forCase studies provide rich raw material for Case studies provide rich raw material for advancing theoretical ideasadvancing theoretical ideasProvide insight at all stages of the theoryProvide insight at all stages of the theory--g g yg g ybuilding process… and probably most valuable building process… and probably most valuable in testing new theoriesin testing new theoriesNew information that holds across many cases New information that holds across many cases can stimulate new theoretical thinkingcan stimulate new theoretical thinkingCan be used as both a research and teaching Can be used as both a research and teaching tooltool

Advantages of the Case Study Advantages of the Case Study A hA hApproachApproach

Provides contextProvides context--dependent (practical) knowledge as dependent (practical) knowledge as d t t td t t t i d d t (th ti l) k l di d d t (th ti l) k l dopposed to contextopposed to context--independent (theoretical) knowledge independent (theoretical) knowledge

which social science has difficulty withwhich social science has difficulty withLess restrictive than other methods (a degree of Less restrictive than other methods (a degree of

f d f t i th b i i )f d f t i th b i i )openness or freedom of movement in the beginning) openness or freedom of movement in the beginning) Narrative easily retained Narrative easily retained Provides a “qualitative leap” in the learning process Provides a “qualitative leap” in the learning process ( )( )(second only to practical experience)(second only to practical experience)Emphasis on “learning” vs. “proof”Emphasis on “learning” vs. “proof”

Predictive theories and universals cannot be found in the study ofPredictive theories and universals cannot be found in the study of human affairs. Concrete, context-dependent knowledge is, therefore, more valuable than the vain search for predictive theories and universals.*

* Flyvbierg, B. (2006). Five Misunderstandings About Case Study Research. * Flyvbierg, B. (2006). Five Misunderstandings About Case Study Research. Qualitative Inquiry, Qualitative Inquiry, 12(2): 12(2): 219219--245. 245.

Disadvantages of the Case Study Disadvantages of the Case Study A hA h

Data is often unique to the studied Data is often unique to the studied

ApproachApproach

event or processevent or processDifficult to establish validity or reliability Difficult to establish validity or reliability (although a high degree of conceptual (although a high degree of conceptual ( g g g p( g g g pvalidity is one of the strengths of case validity is one of the strengths of case studies)*studies)*Case selection biasCase selection biasConclusions are highly subjectiveConclusions are highly subjectiveGenerally not predictiveGenerally not predictive

* George, A.L. and Bennett, A. (2004). * George, A.L. and Bennett, A. (2004). Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences (BCSIA Studies in International Security)(BCSIA Studies in International Security). The MIT Press. Pp. 19. The MIT Press. Pp. 19--20.20.

Case Study Research DesignCase Study Research DesignCase Study Research DesignCase Study Research DesignStudy questions Study questions –– determines the strategy to be useddetermines the strategy to be used

ExplanatoryExplanatoryp yp yDescriptiveDescriptiveExploratoryExploratory

Study propositions Study propositions –– formulation of hypotheses or formulation of hypotheses or y p py p p ypypstatements of purpose for the study (exploratory)statements of purpose for the study (exploratory)Unit of analysis Unit of analysis –– what is to be studied (individuals, what is to be studied (individuals, events, phenomena)?events, phenomena)?The logic linking data to propositionsThe logic linking data to propositionsCriteria for interpreting a study’s findingsCriteria for interpreting a study’s findings

Statistical test (if possible)Statistical test (if possible)( p )( p )Identify contrasting findings/patternsIdentify contrasting findings/patternsCompare rival propositionsCompare rival propositions

Yin, R.K. (2003). Yin, R.K. (2003). Case Study Research: Design and MethodsCase Study Research: Design and Methods (Third Edition). Sage (Third Edition). Sage Publications.Publications.

Other Design ConsiderationsOther Design ConsiderationsOther Design ConsiderationsOther Design Considerations

Case selectionCase selectionHolistic vs. embedded approachHolistic vs. embedded approachSingle case vs. multiple casesSingle case vs. multiple cases

FormatFormatHighly structured casesHighly structured casesg yg yShort vignettesShort vignettesUnstructured casesUnstructured casesGroundbreaking or critical casesGroundbreaking or critical casesGroundbreaking or critical casesGroundbreaking or critical cases

Scholz, R.W. and Tietje, O. (2002). Scholz, R.W. and Tietje, O. (2002). Embedded Case Study Methods: Integrating Embedded Case Study Methods: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative KnowledgeQuantitative and Qualitative Knowledge. Sage Publications.. Sage Publications.

Analysis & ReportingAnalysis & ReportingAnalysis & ReportingAnalysis & Reporting

AnalysisAnalysisWhich data are relevant?Which data are relevant?Pattern matching Pattern matching

Actual vs. predicted patternActual vs. predicted patternp pp pTimeTime--series patternseries pattern

Adjust or clarify major concepts and empirical Adjust or clarify major concepts and empirical categories during the course of investigationcategories during the course of investigationDevelop ‘analytic narratives’ linking data, concepts, Develop ‘analytic narratives’ linking data, concepts, and theoryand theory

ReportingReportingReporting Reporting Elaborate on one or more analytic framesElaborate on one or more analytic framesShould generalizations be made? Should generalizations be made?

A good description is better than a bad explanation…A good description is better than a bad explanation…

Do not sentence me completely to theDo not sentence me completely to theDo not sentence me completely to the Do not sentence me completely to the treadmill of mathematical calculations treadmill of mathematical calculations –– leave leave me time for philosophical speculations, my me time for philosophical speculations, my sole delight. sole delight. –– Johannes KeplerJohannes Kepler

ReferencesReferencesReferencesReferencesAmmitzbøll, P. and Vidino, L. (Winter 2007). After the Danish Cartoon Controversy. Ammitzbøll, P. and Vidino, L. (Winter 2007). After the Danish Cartoon Controversy. Middle East Middle East QuarterlyQuarterly. Pp. 3. Pp. 3--7. Accessed online on 29 Jan 09: http://www.meforum.org/article/14377. Accessed online on 29 Jan 09: http://www.meforum.org/article/1437

Bates, R.H., Greif, A., Levi, M., Rosenthal, J.Bates, R.H., Greif, A., Levi, M., Rosenthal, J.--L., and Wiengast, B.R. (1998).L., and Wiengast, B.R. (1998). Analytic NarrativesAnalytic Narratives..Bates, R.H., Greif, A., Levi, M., Rosenthal, J.Bates, R.H., Greif, A., Levi, M., Rosenthal, J. L., and Wiengast, B.R. (1998). L., and Wiengast, B.R. (1998). Analytic NarrativesAnalytic Narratives. . Princeton University Press.Princeton University Press.

Eckstein, H. (1991). Eckstein, H. (1991). Essays on Political Theory, Stability, and ChangeEssays on Political Theory, Stability, and Change. University of California . University of California Press.Press.

Flyvbierg, B. (2006). Five Misunderstandings About Case Study Research. Flyvbierg, B. (2006). Five Misunderstandings About Case Study Research. Qualitative Inquiry, Qualitative Inquiry, 12(2): 21912(2): 219--245. 245.

George, A.L. and Bennett, A. (2004). George, A.L. and Bennett, A. (2004). Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences (BCSIA Studies in International Security)Sciences (BCSIA Studies in International Security). The MIT Press.. The MIT Press.Sciences (BCSIA Studies in International Security)Sciences (BCSIA Studies in International Security). The MIT Press. . The MIT Press.

Gerring, J. (2006). Gerring, J. (2006). Case Study Research: Principles and PracticesCase Study Research: Principles and Practices. Cambridge University Press, . Cambridge University Press, New York, NY.New York, NY.

Ragin C C (1994)Ragin C C (1994) Constructing Social ResearchConstructing Social Research Pine Forge Press Thousand Oaks CAPine Forge Press Thousand Oaks CARagin, C.C. (1994). Ragin, C.C. (1994). Constructing Social ResearchConstructing Social Research. Pine Forge Press, Thousand Oaks, CA.. Pine Forge Press, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Ragin, C.C. (2004). Turning the Tables: How CaseRagin, C.C. (2004). Turning the Tables: How Case--Oriented Research Challenges VariableOriented Research Challenges Variable--Oriented Research. Brady, Henry E., and David Collier (eds.). Oriented Research. Brady, Henry E., and David Collier (eds.). Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared StandardsTools, Shared Standards. Rowman and Littlefield, Lahnam, MD. . Rowman and Littlefield, Lahnam, MD.

Scholz, R.W. and Tietje, O. (2002). Scholz, R.W. and Tietje, O. (2002). Embedded Case Study Methods: Integrating Quantitative and Embedded Case Study Methods: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative KnowledgeQualitative Knowledge. Sage Publications.. Sage Publications.

Yin, R.K. (2003). Yin, R.K. (2003). Case Study Research: Design and MethodsCase Study Research: Design and Methods (Third Edition). Sage Publications.(Third Edition). Sage Publications.