Policy Analysis and

Evaluation Tools and

Techniques: Case Study
By Mary Ann T. Galdo
 What is a Case Study?
 Sagadin (1991).“A case study is used when we
analyze and describe, each person individually
(his or her activity, special needs, life situation,
life history, etc.), a group of people (a school
department, a group of students with special
needs, teaching staff, etc.), individual
institutions or a problem (or several problems),
process, phenomenon or event in a particular
institution, etc. in detail.
 Types of Case Study
A. Explanatory

1. Program implementation.

-focuses on identifying whether or not a program

has been successfully implemented, and what
difficulties the program faced or is currently
facing during the implementation process.
2. Program Effects.

-are used to determine the effects of specific

programs, whether the programs are failing or
succeeding and why.

B. Descriptive

3. Illustrative.

-are used to describe a situation or a

phenomenon, what is happening with it, and why
it is happening.
4. Exploratory.
-These studies frequently precede larger-scale
investigations, offering insight into a situation
and helping to develop analytic strategies,
questions, measures, designs, and goals.

5. Critical Instance.
-This examines a single instance of unique
interest or serves as a critical test of an
assertion about a program, project, problem, or
strategy..
C. Combined Methodology

6. Cumulative. This brings together findings

from many case studies to answer an evaluation
question, whether descriptive, normative, or
cause-and-effect.
 Methods of Obtaining and Analyzing Data in Case Studies
Technique Methodology
Extensive or “thick” analysis Analysis of multiple types of data
sources, such as:
— Interviews with all relevant persons
— Observations over time
— Participant observation
— Documents
— Archives
— Physical information.

Analysis via triangulation of data Analysis through:

— Pattern matching
— Explanation building
— Thematic review
Comparison of evidence for Analysis through techniques such as:
consistency — Matrix of categories
— Graphic data displays
— Tabulation of event frequencies
— Chronological/time series ordering
 Reporting or Critiquing the Case Study

1. Are the evaluation questions stated clearly and

explicitly
2. Is the case study application clearly described?
3. Was the time span of the study long enough to
address the core issues fairly?
4. Is the basis for selecting cases clearly specified?
5. Are the data collection methods adequately
described?
 Reporting or Critiquing the Case Study

6. If more than one investigator collected data, are the

quality control procedures described?
7. Are the information sources fully described?
8. Are database formations and data analysis
techniques clear?
9. Are arguments for and against various resolutions of
the evaluation questions presented?
10. Are the strengths and weaknesses of the case study
identified?
References:

1. Works Cited What Researchers Mean By... Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
(2015). At Work, (81), pp. 2. Retrieved from: http://www.iwh.on.ca/at-work/81
2. Becker, B., Dawson, P., Devine, K., Hannum, C., Hill, S., Leydens, J., Palmquist, M.
(1994 - 2012). Case Studies. Retrieved from
http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=60
3. GAO. (1990). Case Study Evaluations. Washington, D.C.: GAO. Retrieved from:
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/10_1_9.pdf
4. Gerring, J. (2006). Case study research: Principles and practices. New York: Cambridge
University Press. Harvard. Case Studies. Retrieved from:
http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=qualitative&pageid=icb.page340344
5. Lucas, W. (1974). The Case Survey Method: Aggregating Case Experience. Santa
Monica, CA: Rand. Retrieved from:
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/reports/2006/R1515.pdf
6. Neale, P., Thapa, S., & Boyce, C. (2006). Preparing a case study: A guide for designing
and conducting a case study for evaluation input. Watertown, MA: Pathfinder
International. Retrieved from: http://www.pathfinder.org/publications-
tools/pdfs/Preparing-a-Case-Study-A-Guide-forDesigning-and-Conducting-a-Case-
Study-for-Evaluation-Input.pdf