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underpinnings as the Reggio Emilia approach, increasing the synchronicity of the
research.
According to Merriam (1998), qualitative case studies can be characterized as
being heuristic. “Heuristic means that case studies illuminate the reader’s understanding
of the phenomenon under study; they can bring about the discovery of new meaning,
extend the reader’s experience or confirm what is known” (p. 30). Heuristic research
(Moustakas, 1990) also implies that the researcher is an instrument. I use analysis of my
own experience as part of the data collected for this dissertation (Merriam, 1998). As my
perspective is fundamental in this dissertation, it has a heuristic quality. Heuristic
research is part of phenomenological inquiry which tries to see the object of study from
different angles or perspectives (Merriam, 1998).
A case study approach.
According to Merriam (1998), case studies are also particularistic and descriptive.
Particularistic means that case studies focus on a particular situation, event, program or
phenomenon. The case itself is important for what it reveals about the phenomenon and
what it might represent. Descriptive means that the end product of a case is a “thick” or
rich description of the phenomenon under study (p. 29).
A case study is a “thing,” a single entity, a unit around which there are
boundaries. The bounded system or case is selected because it is of some concern to the
researcher (Merriam, 1998). My interest in the research process is fundamental; the
assumption is that the researcher cannot be separated from those being researched. I am
engaging in the process of inquiry in order to construct knowledge in conjunction with