E-learning Curve Blog at Edublogs

In a previous blog entry, I mentioned the importance of data triangulation, particularly if you use a case study approach when evaluating an e-learning initiative. Another strategy I recommend is to collect data over a number of phases, using a number of techniques.

Case studies involve in-depth, descriptive data collection and analysis of a case, or a number of related instances of the same type within the case. In particular, the case study design is useful when answering “how” and “why” questions, and in understanding the particulars, and diversity of the case (Yin, 1994). As Yin asserted in his 1993 paper Applications of Case Study Research

the case study is the method of choice when the phenomenon under study is not readily distinguishable from its context.

(p.3)

The case study design (see Table 1) suited the conditions of this research project very well as it allowed naturalistic methods of enquiry such as individual interviews to be carried out, side-by-side with quantitative data gathering from surveys and archival records.

Table