Appendix A: Types of Case Studies - Continued

DOE-STD-1058-93

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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