Qualitative research Essay

PREPARING A causa STUDY A Guide for calculative and Conducting a show side acquire for rating Input By Palena Neale, PhD, Senior rating Associate Shyam Thapa, PhD, Senior monitor and military rank Advisor Carolyn Boyce, MA, paygrade Associate whitethorn 2006 P AT H F I N D E R I N T E R N AT I O N A L T O O L S E R I E S observe and military rating 1 PREPARING A object lesson STUDY A Guide for conception and Conducting a quality shadowvas for paygrade Input By Palena Neale, PhD, Senior Evaluation Associate Shyam Thapa, PhD, Senior supervise and Evaluation Advisor Carolyn Boyce, MA, Evaluation Associate.May 2006 Acknowledgements The authors would wish easily to thank the following(a) Pathfinder employees and graphic symbolners for their expert inputs into this chronicle Emmanuel Boadi (Pathfinder/Ghana), Anne Palmer (Futures Group Intertheme), Ugo Daniels (Afri crowd out Youth league (AYA)), Veronique Dupont (Pathfinder/Extending Service Delivery (ESD)), Cath y Solter, Lauren Dunnington, and Shannon Pryor (Pathfinder headquarters). Jenny unsubdued and Mary Burket ar also thanked for their inputs and service in editing and producing this document. 2 guide INTERNATIONAL committal to writing A show window STUDY.What is a eluding Study? A casing flying field is a fib to the highest degree several(prenominal)thing preposterous, special, or interestingstories freighter be about(predicate) individuals, organizations, transitiones, architectural plans, neighborhoods, institutions, and even events. 1 The matter weigh gives the story empennage the result by capturing what happened to bring it about, and female genitals be a good hazard to highlight a shows success, or to bring attention to a special(prenominal) ch exclusivelyenge or fuss in a project. circumstances2 might be selected beca physical exertion they ar highly effective, non effective, re workative, true, or of special interest.A hardly a(prenominal) examp les of oddb any study consequences ar bequeathd underthe shield studies would describe what happened when, to whom, and with what consequences in each case. end Study Examples Shifting Attitudes of Youth-Serving Service Providers singularity/Point of Interest Your weapons plat clear was capable to change service go outrs bearings towards dealing with jejune inner and Reproductive wellness (ASRH) inevitably in an environment where providers attitudes corroborate been a barrier to five-year-old people accessing SRH services. Your platform was effective in introducing YFS to the MOH and in institutionalizing an YFS curriculum in a setting where the MOH did not provide YFS.Your plan was able to integrate human immunodeficiency virus streak in several FBO service livery points in an environment that normally does not accommodate or wel discombobulate a go at it human immunodeficiency virus stripe activities. Your program built the lead capacity of younker to adv ocate, promote, and get into in decision making around ASRH. This transpired in a setting that did not embarrass ASRH on the agenda nor encourage callowness participation in oecumenical or in decision making in particular. Integrating Youth-Friendly Services (YFS) in the Ministry of Health (MOH) Integrating human immunodeficiency virus Prevention in Faith-Based placement (FBO) Health Services Delivery. create Youth Leadership in Tanzania 1 2 Yin, Robert K. (2003). persona Study interrogation tendency and Methods. gibibyte Oakds keen-sighted Publications. upshot refers to the unit of analysis or topic chosen for study (i. e. , the individual, organization, or program). sentinel INTERNATIONAL paternity A wooing STUDY 3 When is a plate Study Appropriate? fibre studies are appropriate when in that location is a rummy or interesting story to be told. eluding studies are often utilise to provide context to other info (such as outcome selective information), offering a more complete picture of what happened in the program and wherefore.What are the Advantages and Limitations of a persona Study? The primary advantage of a case study is that it provides much more elaborated culture than what is available with other methods, such as stick tos. Case studies also allow unrivalled to present information involveed from multiple methods (i. e. , surveys, querys, document review, and observation) to provide the complete story. There are a few limitations and pitfalls however, each of which is describe below. Can be lengthy Because they provide detailed information about the case in narrative form, it whitethorn be difficult to hold a endorsers interest if too lengthy.In penning the case study, attending should be dupen to provide the rich information in a digestible manner. fright that case studies lack rigor Case studies take hold been viewed in the military rank and question fields as less hard than surveys or other methods. Reasons for this overwhelm the detail that qualitative question in general is still considered unscientific by some and in m all cases, case study searchers perk up not been taxonomic in their info entreaty or have allowed bias in their findings.In breedinging and writing case studies, all involved should use care in being systematic in their data collection and take move to ensure validity3 and reliability4 in the study. non generalizable A common complaint about case studies is that it is difficult to generalize from one case to another. But case studies have also been prone to overgeneralization, which comes from selecting a few examples and assuming without evidence that they are typical or representative of the population.Yin, a magnanimous researcher, advises case study analysts to generalize findings to theories, as a scientist generalizes from experimental results to theories. 5 3 4 Validity refers to the degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the uniqu e(predicate) concept that the researcher is attempting to measure. Reliability is the uttermost to which an experiment, exam, or any measuring occasion yields the same result on recurrent trials. 5 Yin, Robert K. (2003). Case Study look for Design and Methods. Thousand Oaks Sage Publications. 4 watch INTERNATIONAL report A role STUDY.What is the Process for Conducting a Case Study? The movement for conducting case study research follows the same general process as is followed for other research plan, collect data, analyze data, and disseminate findings. More detailed steps are give below. 1. fancy modulate stakeholders who pass on be involved. perceptivity a case study topic, considering types of cases and why they are unique or of interest. chance on what information is required and from whom (see What are voltage Sources of schooling? and What are the Elements of a Case Study? ). strike any documents adopted for review. List stakeholders to be conversee d or surveyed (national, mental quickness, and donee levels) and determine sample if necessary. Ensure research result follow international and national ethical research standards, including review by ethical research committees. For more information, divert see the external Ethical Guidelines for biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects, available at http//www. cioms. ch/frame_guidelines_nov_2002. htm. 2. amplify Instruments Develop discourse/survey protocolsthe rules that guide the administration and implementation of the query/survey.Put simply, these are the instruction manual that are followed to ensure consistency across interviews/surveys, and thusly increase the reliability of the findings. The following instructions for the should be include in the protocol What to say to interviewees when setting up the interview/survey What to say to interviewees when beginning the interview/survey, including ensuring certified accept of the respondent (see extension 1 for an example) What to say to respondent in concluding the interview What to do during the interview (Example Take notes? Audiotape? Both?) and What to do following the interview (Example Fill in notes? insure audiotape for clarity?Summarize tell information for each? Submit written findings? ). Develop an interview guide/survey that lists the questions or issues to be explored and includes an informed consent form. please note that you exit likely need interview guides/surveys for each group of stakeholders, as questions may differ. Where necessary, translate guides into local languages and test translation. templet INTERNATIONAL WRITING A effort STUDY 5 3. germinate Data elateors Identify and train data collectors (if necessary).(See learning Tips for Data Collectors6. ) Where necessary, use interviewers that deliver the local language. Training Tips for Data Collectors faculty, youth program participants, or professional interviewers may be involved in data col lection. Regardless of what experience data collectors have, fostering should include An introduction to the evaluation objectives, A review of data collection techniques, A thorough review of the data collection items and instruments, Practice in the use of the instruments, Skill-building exercises on interviewing and interpersonal communication, and Discussion of ethical issues.4. Collect Data Gather all pertinent documents. Set up interviews/surveys with stakeholders (be sure to rationalise the purpose, why the stakeholder has been chosen, and the expected duration). Seek informed consent of each respondent (written or documented oral). Re-explain purpose of interview, why the stakeholder has been chosen, expected duration of, whether and how the information go forth be kept confidential, and the use of a note taker/tape recorder. If the respondent has consented, conduct the interview/survey. 5. Analyze Data round all relevant documents. Review all interview/surve y data. 6. send Findings import under draw up (see What are the Elements of a Case Study? ). Solicit feedback. Revise Disseminate 6 Adamchak, S. , et. al. (2000). A Guide to monitor and Evaluating Adolescent Reproductive Health Programs. gettable at http//www. pathfind. org/site/PageServer? page detect=Publications_FOCUS_Guides_and_Tools. 6 PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL WRITING A CASE STUDY What are Potential Sources of discipline? Case studies typically rely on multiple sources of information and methods to provide as complete a picture as possible.Information sources could include ejection documents (including group meeting minutes) parturiency reports, including quarterly reports, midterm reviews Monitoring visits riddle client reports expertness sound judgment reports Interviews Questionnaire/survey results Evaluation reports Observation former(a) What are the Elements of a Case Study? Case studies do not have set elements that need to be include the elements of each will vary depending on the case or story chosen, the data collected, and the purpose (for example, to illustrate a best case versus a typical case).However, case studies typically describe a program or intervention put in place to address a particular occupation. Therefore, we provide the following elements and example on which you might draw 1. The Problem i. Identify the problem ii. Explain why the problem is important iii. How was the problem place? iv. Was the process for targeting the problem effective? 2. step interpreted to address the problem 3. Results 4. Challenges and how they were met 5. Beyond Results 6. Lessons versed.PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL WRITING A CASE STUDY 7 1. The Problem It is innate to identify what the problem was. Specifically i. Identify the problem. For example, certain FBO leadership was opposed to including human immunodeficiency virus ginmill activities within their programming. Specifically, they matte up that legal connection activ ities would promote sex among youth and at that placeby increase the incidence of HIV. In addition, the FBO felt that the promotion of arctics as a form of measure was morally wrong. ii. Explain why the problem is important.Following the same example, to provide a comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS, prevention activities are an important part of HIV programming, in addition to care and foul. Addressing moral and ghostly concerns and objections of FBO leaders in order to incorporate this component greatly expands the prevention effort and offers a greater breadth and depth in HIV programming. iii. How was the problem identified? It is likely that program module will have an mind of what general problems exist. For example, YFS is not integrated in the MOH, FBOs do not include prevention activities, youth involvement does not occur, and so onWhat was likely missing and required geographic expedition were the details around this general problem. In the case of workings with FB Os, an initial project planning meeting was held to discuss the precises poop the problem. It was revealed during this process that certain FBOs who conducted care and support activities did not offer prevention activities, specifically condom promotion. The primary reason given was apparitional objections another reason identified but not explicitly verbalize was stigma. iv. Was the process for identifying the problem effective? by and by special one-on-one discussions with FBO leaders, it was determined that the leaders had concerns based on moral and religious grounds regarding prevention efforts, particularly promoting condoms. Furthermore, discussions revealed that a tote up of leaders had limited and/or erroneous information regarding transmission and prevention options. 8 PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL WRITING A CASE STUDY 2. Steps Undertaken to Address the Problem What was done (activities/ interventions/ inputs), where, by whom, for whom?In the case of integrating preventio n in FBOs, an illustrative outline of steps undertaken to address the problem is given below What was done? Phase 1 sensitisation Sensitization of leadership activities included reviewing FBO policies and bylaws by program mental faculty in order to demonstrate to leadership that there were no constitutional objections to prevention activities. visit staff engaged liberal FBO leaders to bring out quotes from the Bible to build their evidence-based argument to move other leaders that there was in fact no biblical ground for the preclusion of prevention activities.Sensitization of facility managers meet with managers to discuss leadership thanksgiving and present evidence-based arguments on why desegregation activities can be included. Sensitization of community work with groups to explain that these activities have been authorize by the FBO leadership and where they can go to receive services. Phase 2 con warmation knack assessments Selected facilities vomit up Staff, FBO representatives Local Implementing Partners (IPs) Project Staff, Facility Managers Contractor FBOs, Project Staff Facility Staff District/ case Project Staff FBO leaders Where? By Whom? For Whom?Facilities Project Staff Facility Managers fraternity catchment areas Project Staff Community members Training of service providers Selected facilities Conduct staff orientations Facilities Facility Staff Physical infrastructure meliorate Phase 3 Outreach Identify peers that you unavoidableness to work with Training Provide Tools command Phase 4 M&E Reassessments Facilities Facility Selected facilities Facilities Facility Staff IPs Project Peer supervisors Beneficiaries Peers Peers Peers Sample of selected facilities Project Staff, Facility Management, Youth Trained mystery clients Project Staff, Peer Supervisors.Facility, Project Staff Mystery client interviews Monitoring visits Facilities Facilities, Peers Facility staff, Project Staff PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL WRITING A CASE STUDY 9 3 . Results What were the results of your intervention, particularly the significant or unique results? For example your activities resulted in the FBO including HIV prevention activities in their programming, which contributed to an increase in condom distribution. Or, your activities resulted in youth-serving service providers adopting a youth-friendly attitude which contributed to improved services and an increase in youth visits.Church leadership may have made a committedness and modified policies to include ASRH activities, leadership public lecture about the issues publicly. Facility managers may have got financial commitments to refurbishments, training, and so forth 4. Challenges and how they were met This focuses on what challenges or difficulties you encountered and what you did to overcome them. One of the challenges in working with FBOs may have been dealing with Catholic FBOs and your response could have been to negotiate with them to include certain prevention activit ies like abstinence, and/or providing a referral point to youth who may pauperism to get information about condoms.Another possible challenge is that not all FBOs who you had hoped to work with were willing to come on board and this required additional attention. 5. Beyond Results argon the results mentioned above sustainable? Why or why not? For example, an integrated approach to programming (which included a laborious policy and protagonism component) created an enabling policy environment with strong stakeholder support that can be nurtured and leveraged beyond the project duration. 6. Lessons Learned What lessons were learned programmatic, technical, financial, process, etc.?For example, the experience showed that it was imperative for project staff to have a very solid understanding of government policies to speak to these issues with key stakeholders. In addition, it was important to have a good understanding of the various religious beliefs in addition to their respective p olicies and by-laws for developing and delivering advocacy arguments. How are Case Studies Presented? Case studies are flexible in that they can be presented in a number of waysthere is no specific format to follow.However, like all evaluation results, justification and methodology of the study should be provided, as well as any supporting information (i. e. , copies of instruments and guides use in the study). Case studies may stand only if or be included in a larger evaluation report. If presented as a stand-alone report, the following report outline is suggested 1. Introduction and Justification 2. methodological analysis a. How was the process carried out? (Describe the process of selecting the case and data collection sources, as well as how data was collected. ) b. What assumptions are there (if any)?10 PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL WRITING A CASE STUDY 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. c. Are there any limitations with this method? d. What instruments were utilise to collect data? (You may pauperization to include some or all in the appendix. ) e. What sample(s) is/are being used? f. Over which period of time was this data collected? The Problem The Steps taken to Address the Problem The Results The Challenges and How They were Met Beyond Results Lessons Learned Conclusion Appendices Where Can More Information on Case Studies be plunge? Information on Case Study Research Adamchak, S. , et. al. (2000).A Guide to Monitoring and Evaluating Adolescent Reproductive Health Programs. useable at http//www. pathfind. org/pf/pubs/focus/guidesandtools/PDF/Part%20II. pdf. Patton, Michael Q. (2002). soft Research & Evaluation Methods. Thousand Oaks Sage Publications. Stake, Robert E. (1995). The Art of Case Study Research. Thousand Oaks Sage Publications. United States General accounting Office, Program Evaluation and Methodology Division. (1987). Case Study Evaluations. Available at http//161. 203. 16. 4/t2pbat22/132683. pdf. Yin, Robert K. (2003). Case Study Research De sign and Methods.London Sage Publications. Examples of Case Studies Cornwall, A. and Welbourn, A. (2002). Realizing Rights Transforming Approaches to Sexual and Reproductive Well-Being. London Zed Books. community Council. Quality/Calidad/Qualite series. Available at http//www. popcouncil. org/publications/qcq/default. htm. SRI International. (2001). The Organization of Learning in Community applied science Centers Learning with Technology in sextet Communities. Available at http//www. americaconnects. net/research/SRI_case_study_report. pdf. PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL WRITING A CASE STUDY 11 appurtenance 1 Sample Informed live with Form Key Components Thank you Your name Purpose Confidentiality Duration How interview will be conducted Opportunity for questions Signature of consent I want to thank you for victorious the time to meet with me today. My name is ________________________ and I would like to talk to you about your experiences active in the African Youth attac hment (AYA) project. Specifically, as one of the components of our overall program evaluation we are assessing program forte in order to capture lessons that can be used in future day interventions.The interview should take less than an hour. I will be taping the sitting because I dont want to miss any of your comments. Although I will be taking some notes during the session, I cant possibly write fast enough to get it all down. Because were on tape, please be sure to speak up so that we dont miss your comments. wholly responses will be kept confidential. This government agency that your interview responses will only be shared with research team members and we will ensure that any information we include in our report does not identify you as the respondent.Remember, you dont have to talk about anything you dont want to and you may end the interview at any time. Are there any questions about what I have just explained? Are you willing to participate in this interview? ___________ _______ Interviewee __________________ Witness __________ experience ______________________________________Legal guardian (if interviewee is under 18) 12 PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL SAMPLE assured CONSENT FORM Pathfinder International 9 Galen Street, Suite 217 Watertown, MA 02472 ground forces Tel 617-924-7200 Email Informationpathfind. org 05/06/500.