Examine the benefits of doing case studies on post-graduate business programmes? Explain some of the most common weaknesses to be found in poor responses to case studies. Suggest how they can be addressed.

University Degree Business and Administrative studies

Examine the benefits of doing case studies on post-graduate business programmes? Explain some of the most common weaknesses to be found in poor responses to case studies. Suggest how they can be addressed.

Know Details of Business Situations

Generally cases are description of a situation related to a real life context. By studying the case material one will get the details of a particular situation in its various angles. Data collection, information analysis and result reporting are the important steps in a case study (Yin RK 1994).

Case studies have special importance in Post Graduate business programmes as they enrich students with a lot of skills and abilities.

Case Study Enhances Critical Thinking Ability

Case studies generally incorporate a wide range of information on which the researcher can apply his critical thinking ability to reach reasonable conclusions. A good case study throw light on the various aspects of a particular problem or situation.

Quinton S and Smallbone T (2006) observe case studies help the students to drop the habit of taking statements as such without questioning. They start to think critically and search answers for the basic questions ‘why’ and ‘how’.

Shift From Theoretical Aspects To Practical Business

Post Graduate students are supposed to have good base in theoretical matters. So case studies provide them a firm ground to test their theoretical knowledge in practical business situations. Case studies act as the link between theories and practice as far as a postgraduate student is concerned.

DiStefano A, Rudestam KE, Silverman RJ(2004) points out case discussion and attempts to find answers to related questions help to achieve key educational skills and the ability to apply specific knowledge and general concepts to particular situation.

Easton G (1982) identifies several skills that ...

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Shift From Theoretical Aspects To Practical Business

Easton G (1982) identifies several skills that can be developed by solving case studies

Analytical skills

Students learn to handle information effectively. The develop capabilities to classify, arrange and judge the value of information. By this process he learn the art of recognizing missing information.

Application skills

Case studies are instruments for applying already learned principles, techniques and concepts. For example, while dealing with case studies regarding price variations the law of demand is widely used.

Creative skills

Creativity plays an important role in finding out alternative solutions. The outcome of a course of action can be assumed by creative thinking. It helps to learn the art of forecasting.

Communication skills

Presentation of case study findings develops the communication skills. Skills for effective oral presentation, writing good reports, ability to use visual and other media, ability to defend own viewpoints etc. will be improved. It also enhances the abilities to listen, argue, encourage and control emotions.

Self-analysis skills

Moral and ethical issues will play vital role while evaluating case studies. There can be temptations to dilute values to reach acceptable conclusions. Situations like add preservatives that can be harmful, to increase shelf life of milk or fruit juice are common cases.

Enriching students with a lot of skills, case studies envisage the smooth transition of an under graduate from the theoretical world to the practical arena of a business.

2b A number of weaknesses can be related to various stages of a case study.

Complexity of Data

Blaxter L, Hughes C, Tight M(2006:74) points that generally case studies include a number of interrelated events. One should pay extreme attention to understand all situations cited in case studies. The researcher has to spend a lot of time on such cases too. The researcher may get exhausted while evaluating complex data. This complexity may lead to the change of the focus of the study.

Reading and note making skills can be used effectively to split down and analyze complex data. This practice will save time for evaluation.

False Generalization

False generalization is a common weakness related to case studies. The basic data may be related to a particular situation. The researcher may tempt to generalize it. Case study method depends on a number of assumptions, which may not be reasonable always and may lead to wrong conclusions.( Naumes W, Naumes MJ 2006:65)

To ensure the reliability of data, always relate it with the source and avoid generalization, latest data should be collected from primary sources.

Inadequate Data

The personal relationship developed between the researcher and data providing unit may influence the basic principles of research. Some times response to data collection methods may be poor. The personal beliefs and perceptions of the researcher like women are weak in managing companies etc. may influence the collection and interpretation of data to a great extent. (Kumar R2008)

Kumar R(2008) recommends that the total awareness of the above weaknesses is the easy way to avoid them. The researcher should be conspicuous about the entire process. He must be well trained in modern methods of collecting data and analyzing it.

References

Blaxter L, Hughes C and Tight M(2006). How to research, Berkshire: Open university press

DiStefano A, Rudestam KE and Silverman RJ(2004.) Encyclopedia of distributed learning, California: sage publications inc.

Easton G(1982). Learning from case studies, London: Prentice hall

Kumar R(2008). Research Methodology, Newdelhi: APH publishing corporation

Naumes W, Naumes MJ(2006:65) Art and craft of case writing, 2nd edn. Newyork: M.E. Sharpe inc.

Quinton S and Smallbone T(2006). Postgraduate research in business: a critical guide, London, Sage publications ltd.

Yin RK (1994). Case Study Research Design and Methods 2nd edn, Thousand Oaks, Sage

Examine the benefits of doing case studies on post-graduate business programmes? Explain some of the most common weaknesses to be found in poor responses to case studies. Suggest how they can be addressed.