Types of Case Studies cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1116-98

APPENDIX A

Case Study Type:

Objective Classifications:

DECISION

DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION, PROMOTION, DEFENSE

Description and suggested uses:

The decision case study can be used as an exercise within a lesson plan, or as an evaluation

tool to measure whether the trainees have achieved the objective. This type of case study

can be combined with a role play to enhance the learning experience. The decision case

study requires the trainee to do more than to acquire and manipulate data or to provide an

analysis of a situation. Here, the trainee has to exercise judgment and state what should be

done in the circumstances described. This requires the formulation of an action plan.

The decision case study is useful when the instructional developer wants to improve creative

thinking, judgment, or attitudes. This is also an excellent method to gauge trainee

performance under various situations. It provides a risk-free atmosphere for the trainees to

test their actions.

Case Study Type:

Objective Classifications:

EXERCISE

DIAGNOSIS, DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION

Description and suggested uses:

This type of case study relates to real-life situations. Similar to the background case study

method, the practice of certain techniques, particularly those involving quantitative

manipulations (e.g., chemistry dilution or concentration problems, startup rate problems,

shielding problems, criticality problems) are made easier if the data is presented in case form.

The trainee can see that the manipulation relates to a necessary job skill, rather than being

purely an academic exercise. This is important especially when instructing adult learners.

This type of case study is equally effective in classroom, laboratory, or on-the-job settings.

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