The Comprehensive Case Study

DOE-STD-1058-93

APPENDIX B

CASE STUDY EXAMPLES

THE COMPREHENSIVE CASE STUDY

The example comprehensive case study on the next page was used to train personnel

in the commercial nuclear industry. Because of the length of the comprehensive case,

trainees may need to spend considerable time (as much as two or three hours) in preparation

for the case discussion session. The discussion is very nondirective, with the instructor's

role being that of catalyst, encourager, climate-setter, devil's advocate, issue sharpener,

referee, etc., rather than that of expert, lecturer, authority figure, and the like. The

instructor's technique to start the discussion is often a simple question: "What seems to be

going on here?"

The group typically will identify many issues in the case since it is so comprehensive

and diverse. A major goal is for the trainees to see the "big picture," the relationships of

events, the internal and external forces at work, the role of personality in decision making,

and so forth. Learning takes place largely because of the different views of the group.

B-3