(N.B. This is the study blog for the course Theory and Method for Media Technology. More detailed information regarding the theme as well as the course is available on the course page [1].)
For the last theme, we are required to select two high impacted media technology research papers ourselves with different focuses on qualitative research and case study, respectively. And then think and discuss some potential problems in and after class. I read the two selected paper [2][4] along with another article assigned by professor [3].
In my opinion, since qualitative research has already been introduced and discussed with comparison to quantitative research in previous class, the case study should be paid more attention during this week’s study. When I was writing the first blog for this theme, I thought I knew what the case study is, but not very sure. So I was looking forward to the following lecture and seminar. Unfortunately it is such a pity that the lecture was unable to be given as planned. Still, my idea about case study has been dramatically changed after the seminar.
For the last theme, we are required to select two high impacted media technology research papers ourselves with different focuses on qualitative research and case study, respectively. And then think and discuss some potential problems in and after class. I read the two selected paper [2][4] along with another article assigned by professor [3].
In my opinion, since qualitative research has already been introduced and discussed with comparison to quantitative research in previous class, the case study should be paid more attention during this week’s study. When I was writing the first blog for this theme, I thought I knew what the case study is, but not very sure. So I was looking forward to the following lecture and seminar. Unfortunately it is such a pity that the lecture was unable to be given as planned. Still, my idea about case study has been dramatically changed after the seminar.
In
the seminar, our group discussion begins with introducing the papers we
selected and sharing our thoughts on the potential questions. We are all
interested in one question regarding case study, and then develop the question
to discuss the case study with comparison to the prototype we studied earlier.
We all agreed that both case study and prototype are used to explain or
illustrate the research idea, and case study was not always necessary. In
addition, one of my group members thought case study involves people or uses
real life example while prototype are not necessary to be physical. With this
perspective, my idea was that case study could be seen as a connection between
theory and practice. But when we discussed further with Ilias, we found out
that a totally different viewpoint to examine what the case study is. Ilias
proposed to think the term ‘case study’ with comparison to hypothesis rather
than prototype. According to him, research starts from either hypothesis or
case study. If you have ideas about the research already, then you can start
with your hypothesis. While case study aims to seek something you do not know,
it can help formulate a hypothesis for the research. On the other hand, it is
also mentioned that both qualitative and quantitative methods can be used in
case study research.
After
the seminar, I thought my understanding of case study is much improved. I realized
my understanding emphasis has been changed from ‘case’ to ‘study’. Here, in
this course, case study should be more examined and studied as a research
approach rather than an example approach.
Those are all for today’s blog. Thanks for reading. Your valuable comments are welcome. Please let me know if you find anything interesting or want to have a further discussion. I am looking forward to more discussions in seminar with you all.
Sources:
[1] https://www.kth.se/social/course/DM2572/page/theme-6-qualitative-and-case-study-rese-2/
[2] Te'eni, D., Sagie, A., Schwartz, D. G., Zaidman, N., & Amichai-Hamburger, Y. (2001). The process of organizational communication: a model and field study.Professional Communication, IEEE Transactions on, 44(1), 6-20.
[3] Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of management review, 14(4), 532-550
[4] Wen, Y., Zhu, X., Rodrigues, J. J., & Chen, C. W. (2014). Cloud mobile media: reflections and outlook. Multimedia, IEEE Transactions on, 16(4), 885-902.
You have written a carefully prepared text that is very well developed. I really enjoyed reading about your thoughts on what case study was before the seminar and how this changed during and after the seminar. In my case I had a hard time grasping the concept of case study and it became much clearer after the seminar so it was very helpful for me to attend the seminar. I think you have captured the most important aspects of what a case study is and have explained this in a clear way. One thing I would like to add is the example discussed regarding when case studies are useful. The example was a study from 2000 looking into whether or not internet addiction existed at that time which shows that case studies are useful to see if something exists or not when you don't have enough information about the research field. Well done!
ReplyDeletehi,
ReplyDeletewell you really give me another angle to define "case study" apart from prototype though. since Ilias said that case study is to study of some thing that has limited information or something we don't really understand about it. i think prototype is the opposite. when you start your research like professor HaiBo said. you have idea that is been filter, you know what the problem is, you define problem and then make the prototype to test it. so it is pretty clear for me how these two distinguish. it's interesting to try to understand it like what you curious from the beginning too.
nice reflects :)
Hello !
ReplyDeleteIt is very inspiring to see how the seminar was able to change your thoughts on the nature of case study, I agree the seminars really are what make this course shine - they enable us to share thoughts and ask questions directly when they arise.
You have underlined the most important aspects of this theme in your carefully written blog post, and I agree with most of what you've said. It's interesting that you establish a case study as a connection between theory and practice. I think I understand where you come from, it's true that through a case study, you can start theory, just like practice can make for the beginning of a theory - the formulation of a hypothesis.
Thank you for this insightful blog post, well done :-)