Postgraduate Course Feedback

Developing Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking in Action: The Case Study Approach

Dr Angus NurseEmail – a.nurse@mdx.ac.uk

The Value of Case Studies

Case Studies:

• “bridge the gap between theory and

practice and between the academy

and the workplace” and the workplace” (Barkley, Cross, and Major 2005, p.182)

Student Views – Developing Skills

• Greater emphasis on practical work required

• Move away from teacher led instruction to student centred learning

• The ‘how’ of analytical/critical thinking rather than just • The ‘how’ of analytical/critical thinking rather than just subject specific analysis.

• Motivation is improved when reasoning is explained, developed and understood.

Student Views: The Light at the End of the Tunnel…

• Analysis of how ‘correct’ reasoning is arrived at

• Discussion of elements in faulty reasoning and steps leading up to incorrect conclusions

• Workshop discussion of flawed cases, common errors and misconceptions

• Analysis of areas of dispute/conflict between professionals, text book authors - the ‘what if’s’

• Techniques for evaluating evidence and detail so that conclusions can withstand scrutiny

The Nature of Case Studies

• They can be short (a few paragraphs) or long (e.g. 20+ pages).

• They can be used in lecture-based or discussion-based classes.

• They can be real, with all the detail drawn from actual people and circumstances, or simply realistic.

• They can provide all the relevant data students need to discuss and resolve the central issue, or only some of it, requiring students to identify, resolve the central issue, or only some of it, requiring students to identify, and possibly fill in (via outside research), the missing information.

• They can require students to examine multiple aspects of a problem, or just a circumscribed piece.

• They can require students to propose a solution for the case or simply to identify the parameters of the problem.

Case Studies as Experiential Learning

28/11/13Slide 6

Criminology – Case Study Approaches

Possible Approaches:

– Evaluating a scenario and identifying what may be

important and what is irrelevant;

– Analysing law, case law and Government or sector

specific guidance;specific guidance;

– Evaluating evidence including witness statements,

interview evidence and contradictory or ambiguous

material; and

– Critical evaluation of a practical case to analyse the

material and reach a conclusion.

– Case study based on placement/internship experience

Developing Case Studies

Clarify objectives: • What do you want students to learn from the discussion

of the case? • What do they know already that applies to the case? • What are the issues (central and peripheral) that may be

raised in discussion? raised in discussion? • Can the case "carry" the discussion (Is it appropriate to

your objectives)?

(Cornell University, Teaching Guidance)

Elements of a Good Case Study

Davis (1993) suggests a good case study should:

• tell a “real” and engaging story

• raise a thought-provoking issue

• have elements of conflict

• promote empathy with the central characters• promote empathy with the central characters

• lack an obvious or clear-cut right answer

• encourage students to think and take a position

• portray actors in moments of decision

• provide plenty of data about character, location, context, actions

• be relatively concise

Six Key Steps for Case Study Discussion

1. Give students ample time to read and think about the case2. Introduce the case briefly and provide some guidelines for how to

approach it. Clarify how you want students to think about the case (e.g., “Approach this case as if you were the presiding judge”)

3. Create groups and monitor them to make sure everyone is involved by giving a clear structure

4. Have groups present their solutions/reasoning: If groups know they are responsible for producing something (a decision, they are responsible for producing something (a decision, rationale, analysis) to present to the class, they will approach the discussion with greater focus and seriousness.

5. Ask questions for clarification and to move discussion to another level. As the discussion unfolds, ask questions that call for students to examine their own assumptions, substantiate their claims, provide illustrations, etc.

6. Synthesize issues raised. Be sure to bring the various strands of the discussion back together at the end, so that students see what

they have learned and take those lessons with them.

References

• Barkley, E. F, Cross, K. P. & Major, C. H. (2005) Collaborative Learning Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty. San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

• Christensen, C. R. (1981) Teaching By the Case Method. Boston: Harvard Business School.

• Davis, B. G. (1993) Tools for Teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.