Types of Case Studies cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1116-98

APPENDIX A

Case Study Type:

Objective Classifications:

COMPREHENSIVE

DIAGNOSIS, DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION

Description and suggested uses:

The comprehensive case study is the most widely used case study. The information used is

drawn from real situations and must be well-researched. The primary objective of the

comprehensive case study is to help trainees learn for themselves by independent thinking.

Comprehensive case studies are best suited for a single lesson plan. They can be written

based upon a single situation, or a combination of situations based on the same theme.

Case Study Type:

Objective Classifications:

CRITICAL INCIDENT

DIAGNOSIS, EVALUATION

Description and suggested uses:

The critical incident case study is sometimes known as a jigsaw case study. Here, the trainee

is presented with a small amount of information about a situation. Additional data is supplied

by the instructor over time and may take the form of handouts or verbal descriptions. Once all

of the data is received, the case situation can be understood, and once understood often

leads to suggestions for action. This type of case provides an opportunity to develop the skills

of " sking the right questions." This type of case study is appropriate for training facility

operators. It would help them develop the diagnostic skills needed for unusual events or

emergency situations. The critical incident case study can be presented in the form of an

exercise within a lesson plan. A technique for this kind of exercise is to break the trainees into

teams. Some of the teams are given the true facts of a situation and should reach similar

conclusions. The other teams are given slightly distorted facts that, without careful

consideration, can lead to conclusions different from the other teams. This difference will

generate discussions that allow the trainees to contrast and compare their conclusions in

order to arrive at a consensus.

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