An Analytic Strategy: More Than Familiarity With Analytic Tools

Linking Evidence Collected and Conclusion

Case study entails performing social science research involving real-life context extensively. The method employs numerous variables, since multiple sources of evidence and data is required to formulate response. Using case study enables the researcher to gather, present and evaluate data fairly. Additionally, case studies allow involvement of practitioners from across various sectors to benefit from the researcher experience. However, the case studies focus should involve practical application of participation tools. Mostly, case studies are used to examine contemporary events; where relevant comportments cannot be manipulated. The researcher applies   direct observation and interview methods to collect relevant information.

Linking Evidence Collected and Conclusion

When formulating a case study, data is collected, presented, and fair analysis performed to ensure the information flow enhances user understanding. Initially, the learner explains the research topic following a rigorous methodological path.  A key strong point of the case study technique entails utilization of multiple sources and practises in the process of collecting data. The investigator defines the indication to collect and the analysis methods to apply in order to provide response for research questions. Information collected is generally mostly qualitative; however it can also be numerical. Tools used to gather information can include interviews, reviews, observation, and documentation assessment.

Throughout the design stage, the case study is well formulated to ensure concept rationality and consistency. Constructing rationality entails use of appropriate methods for the notions being analysed. Where, internal validity demonstrates certain situations that lead to various circumstances; thus requires application of various fragments of evidence from numerous fields to disclose convergent positions of the analysis. This helps to institute a series of indication onward and backward. On the other hand, peripheral validity reflects on whether or not results can be generalized further than the immediate case; the more variants in places, persons, and techniques a case study can endure and produce the same conclusions. Methods such as cross-case analysis and within-case analysis along with writings examination support external validity.

Reliability entails the constancy, correctness, and accuracy of measurement. Case study plan make sure that the techniques applied are well defined and can be reiterated with the same effects repeatedly. Since case study investigation produces huge volume of data from numerous sources; methodical body of the information is essential to preclude the investigator from becoming overawed by volume of data. It also prevents the investigator from dropping the original study resolution and queries. Advance planning helps in handling large volumes of information in a documented and logical fashion. Investigators formulate databases to help in labelling, categorization, storage, and recovering of data for analysis. Maintaining the connection between the subject and the indication is compulsory. The data collected is entered into a database or physical storage, where information is displayed in format of tables, graphs and pie charts.  The data documents, categorizes, and cross-references all indication collected so that relevant information can efficiently be sorted and examined over the study course.

Case study is a research method used for the purpose of naming, explaining, and describing cases. Case study inquiries are applicable across numerous disciplines, since it presents the most appropriate method to use in library analysis. In Library and Information Science studies, case study analysis has been applied to examine library school programs operations. As every research method, case study practices involve explanatory and description forms. However, the explanation phase is based on the applicable boundaries, components, and methods used in the case study. There might be in the form of explanatory case studies or descriptive case studies. Likewise, there might be explanatory experiments and explanatory experiments.

Comparing Case Study with other Research

Case studies are difficult since they commonly use several data sources, which include various analyses within a research, and production of huge volume of information for examination. Scholars from numerous fields utilize case study technique to formulate theories, generate innovative theory, to argue or defy concepts, to explicate a condition, to offer a foundation to apply resolutions to position, to discover, or to define an entity or phenomenon. The benefits of a case study process are its capability to apply real-life, modern, human conditions; and its general ease of access through transcribed reports. Case study outcomes recount directly to the communal bibliophiles normal knowledge and expedites an indulgent of multifaceted real-life conditions.

A great case study comprises of a problem, the application and the outcomes. The introductory problem segment must carry a hit.  This section has substantial impact to the reader. The implementation process demonstrates how the case study resolved a critical issue. Thus, the discussion must be supported with measurable results, figures, statistics, and tables where applicable.

Issues to consider:

• Are the selected persons willing to participate in the case study analysis process, including phone consultations or answering queries by email?
• Does the data collected have a compelling background?
• Were there any obstacles or challenges faced during execution process?
• Can the case study demonstrate measurable results?
• How the case study does demonstrates the findings both in the body and conclusion.

When designing stages of case study examination, the investigator needs to identify methodologies to apply by choosing single or multiple real-life cases. This helps to scrutinize in complexity mechanisms and records collection methods to apply. When applying several cases, each case is discussed as a distinct case. However, each case assumptions can be utilized as evidence backing the entire study, but each case remains a single case. Additionally, carefully examine the selections available from among numerous research tools accessible in order to escalate the validity of the study. Lastly, careful insights at the point of assortment also help erect restrictions around the case study.

Before starting a case study, it is advisable to start by selecting the appropriate devices, in order to attain successful results.  However, an individual having the choice, it is wise to prefer the multiple case designs over the single case design. Possessing two cases can commence to being blunt such as criticism and scepticism. Therefore, having more than two cases will generate even stronger effect. On the event of such benefit having two least case must be the goal of an individual.

The present assignment we analyse the relation between “Empowerment” and “Job satisfaction.” MAXQDA software is used to analyse the data. Research articles related to “Empowerment” and “Job Satisfaction” are analysed for the relationship. The articles were initially coded for “Empowerment” and “Job Satisfaction.” Job satisfaction was further sub-coded into “competence.” Similarly Empowerment was coded into “organization and “Challenges.”

The significant words were analysed for their correlation.

	Job satisfaction/ competence	Empowerment/ organization	Empowerment/ challenges	Job satisfaction	Empowerment
Job satisfaction/ competence		0.201 (p=0.0479) N=10	0.555 (P=0.0479) N=10	0.079 (P=0.4144) N=10	0.310 (P-0.1918) N=10
Empowerment/ organization	0.201 (p=0.2888) N=10		-0.241 (P=0.2510) N=10	-0.245 (p=0.2477) N=10	-0.321 (p=0.1831) N=10
Empowerment/challenges	0.555 (p=0.0479) N=10	-0.241 (p=0.2510) N=10		-0.117 (p=0.3738) N=10	0.025 (p=0.4726) N=10
Job satisfaction	0.079 (p=0.4144) N=10	-0.245 (p=0.2477) N=10	-0.117 (p=0.3738) N=10		0.371 (p=0.1455) N=10
Empowerment	0.310 (p=0.1918) N=10	-0.321 (p=0.1831) N=10	0.025 (P=0.4726) N=10	0.371 (p=0.1455) N=10

From the analysis it is found that there is a moderate correlation between Empowerment /challenges and Job Satisfaction / Competence (r = 0.555). The relation is statistically significant (p = 0.0479). Further, there is negative correlation between empowerment / organization and empowerment (r = -0.321). However, the relation is not statistically significant. In addition, we also analysed the data for differences between Job satisfaction and Empowerment. ANOVA was used to analyse the data. Job satisfaction was taken as the dependent variable and Empowerment as the Factor.

	Sum of Squares	d f	Mean Square	F	P value	Eta square
Between groups	14,030.400	9	1,558.933	0.00	0.000	1.00
				0
Within groups	0.00	0	0.00
Total	14,030.400	9
Homogeneity of variance
Levene	0.00
P value	0.00

The analysis showed that there is significant differences between Job satisfaction and Empowerment, p-value = 0.000 at 0.05 level of significance. Cronbach’s alpha was done to analyse the reliability of the codes.

N Item r.	Mean scale w/o item	Std. dev. Scale w/o item	Corrected Item Scale corr.	Alpha w/o item
Job satisfaction/ competence	174.10	86.99	0.304	0.240
Empowerment/ organization	139.80	92.17	-0.326	0.366
Empowerment/ challenges	151.20	89.49	-0.014	0.291
Job satisfaction	88.40	67.97	0.341	-0.023
Empowerment	81.50	39.86	-0.099

The reliability can be increased by removing certain variables.

Qualitative research is used to gain an insight into opinions, causes and motivations in social and natural sciences. The method of data collection in qualitative research is either unstructured or semi-structured. The research method includes analysis of interviews, observations and group discussions. To analyse the data in qualitative research non-numerical data is used. In general we analyse the relationship between the variables in qualitative research.

Conclusion:

In the present assignment we have studied the case study method as a research process. We also compared the case study method with other research methods. We analysed a case study on empowerment and job satisfaction. A qualitative analysis of articles with reference to empowerment and job satisfaction was also prepared.

References:

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