Methods for the analysis of Case Study Data

Data analysis consists of “examining, categorizing, tabulating, or

otherwise recombining the evidence to address the initial propositions of a study” (Yin 2003, p. 109). According to Yin (2003, p. 109 - 110) “analyzing

case study evidence is especially difficult because the strategies and techniques have not been well defined. Unlike statistical analysis, there are few formulas to guide the researchers. Much depends on the investigator’s own style of rigorous thinking, along with the sufficient presentation of evidence and careful consideration of alternative interpretations”. In order to

overcome this difficulty, the need for the researcher to have a general analytic strategy – defining priorities for what to analyze and how is stressed out in the literature (Stake 1995; Yin 1994; 2003)

Following on (Yin 1994; 2003) describes three types of general analytic strategies to be employed in case studies:

1. Relying on theoretical proposition. According to this strategy the researcher follows the theoretical propositions that led to the case study, which in turn reflected a set of research questions, reviews of the literature, and new hypotheses or propositions (Yin, 2003).

2. Thinking about rival explanations. This second strategy tries to define and test rival explanations. In the case of rival theoretical propositions this strategy can be related to the first one (Yin 2003). However, this “strategy is relevant even in the absence of such

theoretical propositions and is especially useful in doing case study evaluations” (Yin 2003, p. 112).

3. Developing a case description. According to this strategy the researcher is developing a descriptive framework in order to organize the case study. “This strategy is less preferable than the use of

theoretical propositions or rival explanations but serves as an alternative when the researcher is having difficulty making either of the other approaches work” (Yin 2003, p. 114).

Clearly the situation of this study better fits with the “relying on the theoretical proposition” strategy since the theoretical propositions described earlier in this chapter, which derived from the theoretical framework, which in turn derived from the literature review, shaped the data collection plan employed in the case studies.

3.11.1

Analytic Techniques

Regardless of the general analytic strategy employed in a case study research there are five analytic techniques that can serve the selected strategy (Yin 2003). These techniques are:

1. Pattern – Matching. This one is the most commonly and desirable technique used for case study analysis Yin (2003). According to Trochim (1989) cited by Yin (2003, p. 116) it “compares an empirically

based pattern with a predicted one (or with several alternative predictions). If the patterns coincide, the results can help a case study to strengthen its internal validity”. This is basically the case of this study since there is a pattern, the theoretical framework, and alternative predictions in terms of the propositions presented in this chapter,

2. Explanation Building. This one is a special type of pattern matching and is used mainly in explanatory case studies. According to this technique the goal is to analyze the case study data by building an explanation about the case (Yin 2003). In “explaining” a phenomenon the researcher has to “stipulate a presumed set of causal links about it. These causal links are similar to the independent variables in the use of rival explanations analytic strategy” (Yin 2003, p. 120). This technique is also suitable for this study since the researcher tries to explain the phenomenon of interest, i.e. this study is partly explanatory in nature.

3. Time–Series Analysis. According to this technique the researcher conducts a time-series analysis, similar to the time-series analysis conducted in experiments and quasi-experiments. This technique usually follows many intricate patterns (Yin 2003). “The more intricate

and precise the pattern, the more that the time-series analysis will lay a form foundation for the conclusions of the case” (Yin 2003, p. 122). Time-series analysis is often seen as an important case study technique, especially when accompanied by with other ones, since it allows the researcher to trace events over time, which is a major strength of case studies (Yin 2003). Again, this technique can be used in this study since the essence of chronological events, which is a relative time issue, is a basic element of the theoretical framework presented in chapter 2 and has the form of the steps for implementing CAF, which are followed to a timed (chronological) order, from step 0 to step 10. Additionally, a basic element of this study’s theoretical framework is that of pace, which by definition, is a time-related issue. 4. Logic Model. “This technique deliberately stipulates a complex chain

of events over time. The events are staged on repeated cause – effect – cause – effect patterns” (Yin 2003, p. 122). As this technique

matches empirically observed events to theoretical events can be seen as another form of pattern matching (Yin 2003). Moreover, as this technique deals with a complex set of events (pattern) over time (time- series) is a combination of pattern-matching and time-series analysis (Davies 2004). Additionally, according to Yin (2003) this approach is useful for explanatory and exploratory case studies.

5. Cross – Case Synthesis. This technique applies specifically to the analysis of multiple cases. “Nevertheless cross – case synthesis can

be performed whether the individual case studies have previously been conducted as independent research studies or as predesigned part of the same study” (Yin 2003, p. 134).

Regardless of the specific analytic strategy or technique to be employed in a case study research the researcher has to make sure that the analysis is of the highest quality. In order to do so four principles, require attention:

a. The analysis should show that the researcher attended all the evidence b. The analysis should address all major rival interpretations

c. The analysis should address the most significant aspects of the study d. The researcher should use his/her prior expert knowledge in the case

study (Yin 2003).

Having the above in mind the researcher used the Logic – Model technique to analyse the data of this case study, since this study is both explanatory and exploratory and the selected technique is a combination of pattern – matching and time – series analysis.

3.12 Chapter Summary

In this chapter the methodology of the study was thoroughly presented. Analytically, the philosophy of the research was identified, the approach of the research was developed, the choice of the research strategy was justified, the time horizon of the research was provided, the data collection method that was used was explained, the design of the research strategy was described, the preparation of the data collection was provided and the methods that were used in order to analyse the data were explained. In the next chapter the findings of the case studies will be presented.