Pan Tan (2011). Demystifying Research case

Demystifying Case Research

Overview

• The article discusses a structured-pragmatic-situational (SPS) approach to conducting case studies.

• The authors highlight gaps in current literature on case research methodologies and propose a new approach aimed at practicality and usability.

• The SPS approach consists of eight systematic steps, providing detailed instructions for managing case study research.

Authors and Affiliations

• Shan L. Pan, Department of Information Systems, National University of Singapore.

• Barney Tan, Discipline of Business Information Systems, University of Sydney.

Gaps in Existing Literature

Prescriptions

• Current literature typically presents general principles that are:

  • Difficult to translate into specific, actionable steps.

  • Applicable only under idealized conditions, often impractical in real-world scenarios.

  • Lacking in practical advice on how to achieve flexibility in research settings.

Research Methodology

• Existing case research methodologies emphasize theory without sufficient guidance on practical application.

• Many researchers struggle to utilize these methods effectively due to these gaps.

The SPS Approach

Characteristics

• Structured: Divides case research into eight clear steps that are detailed and replicable.

• Pragmatic: Offers practical techniques that balance rigor with workability.

• Situational: Provides methods to adapt and respond to the complexities and surprises of field research.

Steps of the SPS Approach

1. Access Negotiation

   • Emphasizes the importance of gaining access to a suitable case organization.

   • Recommends starting with interesting cases rather than designing ideal research from scratch.

   • Suggests using planned opportunism to improve access chances.

2. Conceptualizing the Phenomenon

   • Researchers should develop a clear mental concept of the phenomenon based on preliminary research and theoretical readings.

3. Collecting and Organizing Initial Data

   • Initial interviews should focus on getting an overview of the phenomenon.

   • Data organization strategies should be chosen based on the nature of the data gathered.

   • Suggested methods include temporal bracketing and open coding.

4. Constructing and Extending the Theoretical Lens

   • Initiates theory building early, choosing an appropriate guiding theory to frame research.

   • Theoretical lenses should be dynamic, evolving with new data and insights.

5. Confirming and Validating Data

   • Researchers should triangulate data from multiple sources to ensure validity.

   • Importance of considering all perspectives; conflicting views should be objectively reconciled.

6. Selective Coding

   • Involves filling in the theoretical lens with corroborated data and ensuring all categories are evidentially supported.

   • A narrative strategy is recommended to make sense of data while retaining clarity.

7. Ensuring Theory-Data-Model Alignment

   • Validate that the model accurately represents the data and aligns with existing theories.

   • Three types of alignment must be assessed: theory-data alignment, data-model alignment, and theory-model alignment.

8. Writing the Case Report

   • Structured, coherent writing is crucial for clearly presenting research findings.

   • Suggested sections for a report include Introduction, Literature Review, Research Method, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion.

Contributions and Implications

• The SPS approach aims to reduce the learning curve for aspiring researchers by providing explicit guidance on conducting case research.

• It presents a coherent methodology that integrates existing prescriptions while allowing flexibility and adaptation to real-world situations.

• The article calls for future research to explore other forms of case research methodologies beyond exploratory case studies.

Demystifying Case Research

Overview

The article presents a comprehensive exploration of a structured-pragmatic-situational (SPS) approach to conducting case studies, providing valuable insights for researchers in various fields. The authors emphasize the necessity for improved methodologies in case research, addressing significant gaps in the existing literature that often overlook the practical needs of researchers.

Authors and Affiliations

• Shan L. Pan: Department of Information Systems, National University of Singapore.

• Barney Tan: Discipline of Business Information Systems, University of Sydney.

Gaps in Existing Literature

The article highlights several key gaps that have emerged in the existing literature pertaining to case research methodologies:

• Prescriptions: The literature often offers vague general principles that are:

  • Difficult to translate into specific, actionable steps for researchers conducting case studies.

  • Applicable primarily under idealized conditions, which are often impractical in real-world research scenarios.

  • Lacking practical advice on how to achieve the requisite flexibility that is essential for adapting research designs in response to dynamic conditions in the field.

Research Methodology

Existing methodologies in case research have been criticized for over-emphasizing theoretical frameworks while providing insufficient guidance on their practical applications. Consequently, many researchers report challenges in effectively implementing these methodologies due to their theoretical bias and lack of pragmatic tools.

The SPS Approach

Characteristics

The SPS approach is built on three core principles:

1. Structured: The approach delineates case research into eight distinct steps, ensuring clarity and replicability in the research process.

2. Pragmatic: It emphasizes practical techniques that maintain a balance between methodological rigor and the workability necessary for field research.

3. Situational: The approach encourages flexibility, equipping researchers with the tools to adapt to complexities and surprising developments that can arise during fieldwork.

Steps of the SPS Approach

1. Access Negotiation: Emphasizes the critical need for researchers to secure access to appropriate case organizations. This step encourages starting with cases that capture interest while utilizing a strategy of planned opportunism to enhance access prospects.

2. Conceptualizing the Phenomenon: This step advises researchers to establish a clear conceptual framework for the phenomenon under investigation, drawing from preliminary research and relevant theoretical literature.

3. Collecting and Organizing Initial Data: Initial interviews should aim to provide a broad overview of the phenomenon, with data organization strategies tailored to the characteristics of the gathered data. Recommended methods include temporal bracketing for chronological data and open coding for qualitative insights.

4. Constructing and Extending the Theoretical Lens: This step encourages researchers to begin theory building early in the research process, selecting a dynamic guiding theory that can evolve in response to new data and insights encountered during research.

5. Confirming and Validating Data: Researchers must triangulate data drawn from various sources to ensure its validity. Attention to all perspectives is crucial, and efforts should be made to objectively reconcile conflicting viewpoints.

6. Selective Coding: This involves deepening the theoretical lens by incorporating corroborated data, ensuring that all categories are soundly supported by evidence. Employing a narrative strategy can enhance clarity while integrating diverse data.

7. Ensuring Theory-Data-Model Alignment: It is vital to confirm that the developed model accurately represents the data, ensuring alignment among theory, data, and the model. Researchers should assess three types of alignment: theory-data alignment, data-model alignment, and theory-model alignment.

8. Writing the Case Report: Writing must be coherent and structured in a way that effectively communicates research findings. Recommended sections for a report include Introduction, Literature Review, Research Method, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion.

Contributions and Implications

The SPS approach aims to lower the learning curve for emerging researchers by providing explicit guidance on conducting rigorous case research. This methodology not only integrates existing recommendations but also allows for flexibility and adaptability to the nuanced demands of real-world research settings. The article also advocates for future research to consider diverse forms of case research methodologies beyond the scope of exploratory case studies, thus expanding the richness and applicability of case research.