How to conduct a case study

In a teaching class, there will always be individual students with learning difficulties or behavioral deviations. It is difficult to achieve results with conventional education and teaching methods, which require comprehensive and in-depth study and must be treated specially. By collecting personal information, we can understand the actual situation of students or the crux of the problem, diagnose the causes of the problem, and then put forward corrective plans or provide correct guidance strategies to help students solve the problem. This is what we often call a case study. 1. Case study and its characteristics Case study refers to the process of collecting information related to research problems by various methods and conducting in-depth and detailed research on a single individual or unit group. Case study generally adopts judgment method, that is, in-depth research and investigation of individuals, individual events or cases in a systematic way, combined with subjective judgment, trying to explain and analyze the collected factual materials through reasoning, and proposing solutions or strategies to solve problems. The task of case study is to make a descriptive report on the behavior characteristics of the case and provide realistic evidence for the final judgment. This is a comprehensive research method. In education and teaching research, case studies are often used to study the transformation of poor students, or to study some cases that are difficult to repeat, predict and control. Such as students dropping out of school, academic failure, family breakdown, moral corruption, juvenile delinquency and so on. It is also suitable for the cultivation and research of top students, special students and outstanding students. The singleness of the research object, the comprehensiveness of the research method and the profound humanity of the research content are three characteristics of the case study. As the name implies, the object of case study is usually a single individual or a single group. Even if there are multiple topics in the research, they are usually treated as a unit or a problem. The research objects are often those individuals with special behaviors or abnormal behaviors, such as gifted children, mentally retarded children, dropouts and problem children. The objectivity of research methods means that there are various methods to collect case data, and the research methods are comprehensive, which often include comprehensive methods such as testing, interview, investigation, observation, experiment and literature. The deep humanity of the research content means that the research cycle is long, and it needs continuous follow-up research, not only to study the current situation of the case, but also to study the past and development of the case. Because the object is single, it is convenient for in-depth and detailed, comprehensive and systematic analysis and research. Second, the six basic steps of case study Generally speaking, the process of case study can be divided into six steps: determining the nature of the problem, grasping the key of the problem, understanding the background of the problem, proposing the solution to the problem, exploring the solution to the problem, and forming the best decision to solve the problem. First ask the question, what is the question, and this question must be confirmed and defined. Secondly, what is the crux of the problem? We must find out the relevant information from the nature of the question through information collection, and then proofread, evaluate and analyze it to determine the answer to the question. Third, the occurrence of case problems has its unique background and reasons. We should understand the process and conditions of the problem through various channels, and understand the internal motivation of the case and external factors such as social environment. Fourth, according to the previous experience and methods of dealing with similar problems, we can also innovate and propose solutions to the problems. Fifth, there will be many ways to solve problems. We must test them in the process of action, explore scientific methods to solve problems, and repeat them until the problem is finally solved. Finally, on the basis of comparing various results, choose the best method to solve the problem and form the best research decision. The six steps are an interrelated whole, and the previous step is the basis of the next step. Once there is a problem in any step, you can go back to the previous step and explore again. Case study of individual students, or transforming poor students, or cultivating excellent students, refer to the following six basic steps. (A) to determine the research object and problems. According to the purpose and content of case study and the definition of case problem behavior, choose typical people or things as the research object. For example, to explore the growth law of excellent students, we should choose students with high IQ and outstanding academic performance as the research object. In the research of education and teaching, the objects of case studies are usually students with physical and psychological obstacles, students with poor academic performance, students with behavioral deviations, students with abnormal emotions, gifted students and so on. (2) Data collection and arrangement. There are many ways to collect information, such as written investigation and oral interview, observation, inspection and evaluation, and obtaining personal information. The sources of information are as follows: 1. Personal data of the case. Including name, gender, age, date of birth, place of origin and other basic information. ; Physical and mental health status, such as height, weight, medical history, personality, temperament, etc. ; There are also study manuals, test scores, homework, diaries and other related materials over the years. 2. Relevant school records. Such as various registration forms, record of achievements, ability, interest, personality, IQ test results, conduct comments, rewards and punishments, teacher-student evaluation, etc. 3. Family and social background. Such as parents' education level, occupation and socio-economic status; Parental discipline, the relationship between family and case, and the position of case in family; Cultural status of the community, male and female friends, etc. (3) Diagnosis and hypothesis. On the basis of extensive collection of case data, further tests are needed to diagnose the crux of the problem, infer the causes: primary cause, secondary cause, internal cause, external cause, remote cause and proximate cause, and form a preliminary hypothesis. (4) analysis and guidance. The collected data are often rough and trivial, and it is difficult to directly explain the problem. We should use logical thinking to rationally process relevant data. We should not only put forward research questions, but also put forward strategies, guiding opinions and behavior correction methods to solve problems. (5) Implementation and verification. Verify the previous diagnosis and hypothesis by tracking, observing and recording. In the process of diagnosis, hypothesis, analysis and guidance of case studies, there will inevitably be wrong judgments and inferences, and it is necessary to test the rationality of previous subjective inferences through various information and materials in the implementation process. (6) Conclusion and report. Discuss and evaluate the performance of the case, make suggestions, draw conclusions and write a case study report. In addition to collecting the relevant information of the case, case study also needs to communicate with the case to achieve the purpose of counseling, consulting and solving problems. Communication can be one-to-one, many-to-one, formal or informal occasions. Pay attention to nonverbal information, actions and expressions, reflect the authenticity of the case and avoid the influence of subjective factors. Three important links of case study In the process of case study, the definition, description and analysis of problems, collection of relevant information, judgment, decision-making and reasoning of case problems are all complex cognitive processes, and the specific operation also involves skills. The following briefly introduces the specific operation of three important links: case recording method, problem description and analysis, and case study report. (1) case record method. Case study should not only collect relevant information, but also sort out and record the information and form a report. Medical records are similar to medical records and must be described in an objective, accurate and clear way, and must be based on the full collection of relevant information. The basic principle of recording should be to maintain the integrity, correctness and reliability of information, and to make the views concise and clear as far as possible, and the contents are easy to contact and understand. The methods of case recording include direct description, chart representation, structural description and semi-structural description. Here are some semi-structured case records: 1, identity and appearance: name, gender, age, place of residence, appearance characteristics, etc. 2. Life history: past, present and development. 3. Status quo: personal situation, how to form the status quo, etc. 4. Future perspective: What do you need to master in the future? What will be the result of taking action? What will happen in the future? 5. Economic situation: economic source and material supply source. 6. Physical and mental health: Physically and psychologically, what are the normal thoughts, feelings, actions and desires? 7. Personality characteristics: What is your usual personal performance? What are the more persistent and consistent behaviors? 8. Motivation state: personal needs, attempts, desires, fears, likes or dislikes. 9. Ability performance: What can an individual do, what can't he do, how can he adapt to the environment and how can he express himself? 10, Attitude: What are the personal psychological characteristics revealed from actual events? How do you behave under special circumstances? How do you feel about your situation? What are your expectations or ideas? 1 1. Ideals and values: personal basic beliefs, values and moral standards. 12. self-concept: what is the individual's attitude towards himself, what is his idea, and how to describe himself? 13, Interest: What do you think is important? How are related things affected? 14. Family: Who are you close to and who are you most like in behavior? Joe, friendship and loyalty: who is his best friend and who is his most loyal person? 16. reaction to others: how to reflect the case to others, how to think and how to expect. 17. others' reaction to the case: what do others think of him, and what are others' reactions, thoughts and expectations? 18. Interacting with others: What are the interests and activities shared with others? What are the same and different views compared with others? A good medical record should have the following characteristics: accurate, objective, complete, concise, clear and easy to understand and consult. Case records can be recorded in chronological order, such as chronological order, or in different stages of the study (initiation, investigation, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up); It can also be recorded by special topics, such as family status, community environment, cultural background, educational and recreational activities, hobbies, health status, mental state, occupation, economic income, etc. You can also track and record a single student for a long time. The contents of this cumulative record include: the scores of various courses, aptitude test, personality and temperament evaluation, attendance, health status, physical examination data, participation in activities, anecdotes of students, interests, attitudes, peer relations and so on. (2) Description and analysis of the problem. After determining the case to be studied, the description and analysis of the case is the key link in the case study process. Whether the description and analysis of case problems meet the requirements of scientific methods is related to the correctness and reliability of the whole study. Some case study reports often confuse the facts and viewpoints of case studies, and it is difficult to distinguish the substantive issues of cases, which poses a threat to case inference. Therefore, when forming a case study report, it is necessary to clearly describe what is factual information, what is relevant evidence, and what is the researcher's inference and value judgment. Distinguish between description and analysis; What is "fact" and what is "opinion". The description and analysis of research data is a time-consuming and laborious work. Due to the limitation of time and energy, it is sometimes impossible to comprehensively collect and discuss the information related to the case, which often leads to wrong judgment and inference. It is necessary for case researchers to consider the following questions: L. What problems should the case study solve? 2. What is the evidence related to the theme? 3. How to get relevant information? 4. How to select relevant materials and eliminate irrelevant materials? 5. How to interpret the collected information? 6. How to distinguish "fact" data from "opinion" data? 7. How to propose solutions and strategies to solve problems? In short, the description and analysis of case problems must clearly distinguish between evidence and inference, and between "facts" and "opinions". Researchers need to collect data extensively, observe through multiple channels and make logical judgments reasonably, so that the description and analysis of cases have high reliability and validity. (3) Case study report. Case study report is a manifestation of case study, a method to express research results and an indispensable part in the process of case study. Just like a doctor seeing a doctor, the medical records written by a doctor can provide a basis for future diagnosis and treatment. Case study reports are divided into three categories: descriptive reports, brief reports and analytical reports. As mentioned above, case study is actually a research process of collecting relevant information of cases through various methods, proposing strategies to solve problems through scientific reasoning, and then evaluating its effects. It is not only a research method, but also a complex cognitive process and a theoretical framework for solving problems. The format of a typical case study report refers to the six steps of the study, which roughly involves the following nine aspects: 1, basic information: name, gender, age, learning level, native place, etc. 2. Source of the case: others' introduction, self-seeking or other relationships. 3. Background information: age, education level and occupation of parents, etc. Family history of cases: parents, brothers and sisters, others. The relationship between the case and the family: parents' attitude towards discipline, brother and sister relationship, etc. Social impact of the case: interpersonal relationship, communication with friends. 4. Description of main problems. 5. Diagnosis and analysis. 6. Guidance strategy. 7. Implement the guiding strategy. 8. Implementation results. 9. Follow the discussion.