The Merit of the Case Study Method

THE MERIT OF THE CASE STUDY METHOD Introduction  The case study method is valuable in examining a multitude of issues and their relationships, especially in the context of studying creative work.  This lecture will delve into the reasons for favoring the case study method over multivariate analysis and explore the benefits and challenges it offers. Why Not Multivariate Analysis?  Multivariate analysis relies on measurement and assumes it's possible to measure relevant traits in the population, which may not be plausible in creative work.  The case study method prioritizes understanding processes over traits and avoids decontextualization by focusing on creative individuals in their own contexts.  It also allows researchers to study widely agreed-upon cases and emphasize the unique patterns of knowledge, purpose, and affect organization in each case. The Lion and the Ox  Each case of creative work is distinguished by variables that are relevant to that specific case, making it inappropriate to measure these variables in all cases.  The focus is on how individuals organize their cognitive patterns and adapt them to construct tasks in the course of their work. Early Goals and Later Achievement  The relationship between initial goals and later achievement can vary significantly among creative individuals.  Different starting points, whether vague or precise, may lead to successful creative outcomes.  The story of Darwin and Huxley illustrates that different approaches can both be effective in their own ways. Quasi-Experimental Approaches  Some aspects of the creative process have been studied quasi-experimentally in the laboratory, alongside case studies.  Quasi-experimental approaches avoid committing too deeply to any one experimental program and focus on issues highlighted by the case.  Example: Gruber's study of the cooperative synthesis of points of view inspired by Darwin's observations. The Difference from Psychobiography  The case study method differs from psychoanalytically oriented psychobiography, which emphasizes underlying motives and childhood origins.  It focuses on understanding how creative individuals do their work and the developmental process within their careers.  This approach requires a phenomenological stance, reconstructing subjects' experiences from their own points of view. Case Studies of Creative Work as Doctoral Dissertations  Case studies of creative work present challenges for doctoral dissertations, including the need for specialized skills and immersion in the subject matter.  However, the diversity of cases and treatments presents opportunities for exploration and understanding unique individuals.  Several completed dissertations under Gruber's direction illustrate the potential of the case study method. Conclusion  The case study method offers a rich and nuanced approach to studying creative work by focusing on processes, context, and unique patterns of organization.  It complements experimental approaches and provides a deeper understanding of how creative individuals function within their specific contexts.