Page 17 - Why I Like Case Studies

often leads to more engaging cases, in-depth analysis and

publishable output.

So, what of the collective contribution? It may well lead to a

good case study but it still has the possibility of the

committee mentality leading to the making of an elephant.

Caution would seem to be the watchword and perhaps the

development of a system of education and training in case

development and analysis.

If the motivated individual is the key to case development

then any roadblocks in their path are detrimental to the
functioning of the case method. One such roadblock is the

delivery and distribution technology interface between

developer and recipient. Here if the developer has to spend

time learning new technologies then this distracts from time

available to developing the case.

The question may be put more succinctly in terms of ‘the

singer or the song’? No matter what delivery platform or

software is utilised the core of the case method is the story –

the case study.

Perhaps the solution lies with the institutions providing the

necessary technical back-up which may be distributed over

a larger number of institutional uses. The problem with this

is that institutions are slow to act and often oppose the

introduction of new applications.

Further to this was the fact that the technology to access

these e-resources was in itself, developing rapidly.