Bambang Ruby S, NIM: 0203513037, Smester 1

PPs Unnes Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris (Kelas Khusus) 2013/2014

HANDOUT 8
Research in English Language Teaching
(Case Study)

Activity 1
Nunan, 1992:74-89:
What is and what is not a case study?
A case study is the investigation of the way a single instance or pheomenon functions in
context. In applied linguistics, it usually involves the investigation of the language
behavior of a single individual or limited number of individuals over a period of time. It is
not the same as observational studies as this would rule out historical case studies, those
case studies are not simply pre-experimental, and that case study is not a term for a
standard methodological package.
How does a case study resemble ethnography, and how do the two differ?
A case study may resemble ethnography in its philosophy, methods and concern for
studying phenomena in context. It differs when one selects an instance in action, but not
the whole, from the class of objects and phenomena and then investigates the way it
functions in the context.

Which approach can suitably be employed in a case study: quantitative or

qualitative? Why?
Case study can be quantitative and qualitative research because case study is a hybrid
approach.
Mention the four types of case study according to Stenhouse (1983), and
explain each

The four types of case study according to Stenhouse (1983):

a)

Neo ethnographic which shows the in-dept investigation of a single case by a

participant observer.

b) Evaluative when an investigation carried out in order to evaluate policy or practice.

c) Multi-site can be a study carried out by several researchers on more than one site.
d) Action, for instance, an investigation which is done by a classroom practicioner in his
or her proffesional context.
Explain four (out of six) advantages of adopting the case study as a research
method according to Adelman, et al. (1976).
Four advantages of adopting the case study as a research method according to Adelman,
et al. (1976):
a. It has strength in reality in which it identifies issues and concerns being raised.
b. It can represent a multiplicity of viewpoints, and offer support to alternative
interpretations.
c. Provide a database of materials which may be reinterpreted by future researchers.
d. The data are usually more accesible than conventional research report and therefore
capable of serving multiple audiences.

Study the example of a case study (pp. 83-89), and comment on the following:
Schmidts justification of the study
Schmidts justification of the study is a case study as it takes an instance of class of
objects and investigates only in its context: communicative competence in relation to
social interaction. Without social interaction there is actually no communication, but he
might contradict the act to a formal situation (education) and another variable that is
worth considering is psychological aspect.
The relevance of the background to the research problem
The relevance of the background to the research problem is clear but it seems that it
ignores the initial knowledge of the participant and some psychological factors may lead
to a bias inference.

ACTIVITY 2:
Merriam, 1988:22-35:

Give a brief account on how other disciplines have their influence on case study
research in education.
Certain fields of study use case study research for specific purpose. Law, medicine,
psychology, and social work, for example, often employ case studies on behalf of
individual clients. Political science, business, journalism, economics, and government have
found case studies helpful in formulating policy. Case study in education can focus on
individual students-to diagnose learning problem, for example. They have also been used
in the service of policy formation.
A case study can be descriptive, interpretive, or evaluative. Explain the
difference
Descriptive collects sequence of events describing historical instances. It is used to form
database for future comparison and theory building. Interpretive, if the study uses the
descriptive data to develop conceptual categories or to illustrate, support, or challenge
theoretical assumptions held prior to the data gathering. Evaluative when the study
involves description, explanation, and judgment, as judging is an ultimate act of
evaluation.
What are preconditions that may help the researcher decide on using a case
study as suggested by Kenny and Grotelueschen (1980)?
Preconditions that may help the researcher decide on using a case study as suggested
by Kenny and Grotelueschen (1980):

The desired or projected objectives of an educational effort focus on

humanistic outcomes or cultural differences.

Information gleaned from participants is not subject to truth or falsify but can be
subject to scrutiny on the grounds of credibility.

What may be strength or and weaknesses of case study research as regards its
application in teaching of EFL?
Strength and weaknesses of case study research as regards its application in teaching
of EFL:

It focuses on a specific event that it is easy to locate the problem.

It is simple to carry out.

The amount description depends on the subjectivity of investigator.

The issue of reliability, validity, and generalization is questionable.

Design a case study on a problem or situation you have really encountered, or

you will probably encounter, as an English teacher.

Genre Based Approach for Improving Students reading test

Steps in carrying the study:

Formulizing the problems

Determining the units of study

Determining the approach

Analyzing data

Writing the report