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Chapter 3 Research Framework
and observed, quotations from the people being observed, the observer’s feelings and
emotions to what is observed, and field-generated insights and interpretations. Patton
(2002) added that field notes are the fundamental database for constructing case
studies. Morse and Field (1996) stated that field notes from field work provide a
learning experience. Having several roles at the researcher’s disposal enables them to
pick up much more information that the single role of researcher. This juxtaposition
produces very rich sources of data.
3.8.4 Documents
Documentation is stable (can be reviewed repeatedly), unobtrusive (not created as a
result of the case study), exact (contains exact names, references and details) and has
broad coverage (long span of time – many events and many settings) (Yin, 2008).
Yin (2009) stated that documentary information is likely to be relevant to every case
study topic and that documentary evidence can be used to corroborate and augment
evidence from other sources. Yin (2009) warned that the case study researcher needs
to remember that the documents they are reviewing have been written for a different
purpose to that of what the case study is being done for. However, they can provide
insightful causal inferences and explanations. Denzin and Lincoln (1994) stated that
documentary data are central to social science research. Yin (2009) gave examples of
some of the possible documentary sources: Letters, memoranda, emails, personal
documents, agendas, announcements, minutes from meetings, written reports of
events, administrative documents, proposals, progress reports and other internal
records, formal studies or evaluations of the same “case”, and news clippings and
other articles in mass media and community newspapers.
Patton (2002) stated that documentary data may prove valuable not only because of
what can be learned directly from them but also as a stimulus for paths of inquiry
that can be pursued subsequently through interviewing or observation.
Following the selection of the methods to be used the researcher must then think
about how the data will be analysed.