Page 35 - CL Case Structure

CONCLUSIONS

The environment in which case studies and by extension the

case method is used is under attack. Time constraints on

both student and educationalists is forcing a reassessment

of the use of standard or traditional case studies. The short

case study is an emerging force in the case method arsenal,

one that is offering the potential to effectively mesh with

these developing strictures and ameliorate the impact.

How short case studies add value is predicated on the

experience of developing short cases in the form of

personal experience, formulated around the need to deliver

more focussed cases for use in predominantly tutorial

situations. The short case study embodies the terms

vignette, caselette and short case study loosely

differentiated by word count.

Short case study development might well encourage

lecturers to attempt developing their own case studies. But

this is not a simple process or activity. Long or short the

fundamentals of case development and the case method

still have to be met. The difference between the two may

simply distil down to content focus where the short case

study has a much narrower field of view.