Section outline

  • Overview of the session

    This week we cover the use of case study methodology to research global health issues.

    We start off by looking at how India managed to eliminate polio, to explain how looking at specific cases – India’s experience in this instance – can help understand a wider theoretical point, i.e. polio eradication policies. We then provide definitions and examples of case study methodology in the guided practice lecture, looking at different types of descriptive, instrumental and comparative case studies, and on how to aptly select specific cases to research specific topics. For the challenge activity you will analyse and critique a public health case study, and explain why Nigeria’s experience of dealing with Ebola may not be applicable and replicable in other contexts.

    We wrap up the topic with a webinar discussion on Nigeria's Ebola case-study, and the main concepts surrounding case study methodology. Academic references are provided and touched on throughout the activities.


    Learning objectives

    By the end of the session, you will be able to:

    • Understand the theory behind case study methodology, and how to use it to research a global health issue;
    • Distinguish between descriptive, instrumental and comparative case studies;
    • Select specific cases to investigate a global health topic;
    • Identify the steps required to apply case study methodology for your own dissertation project.

    • WEEK 5 - LECTURE: INTRODUCTION

      Read this BBC story of how India managed to eradicate polio, and watch this video on the challenges of the polio immunisation campaign in that country.

      Reflect on the following points as an introduction to case study methodology:

      • What did you learn about polio eradication from India’s specific experience?
      • To what extent do you think India’s experience is valid for other countries?

      In this week's video lecture, Giuliano discusses case study methodologies in the context of global health. 

      Video lecture on case-study methodology

      Please watch this presentation, paying particular attention to:

      1. definition(s) of case study methodologies;
      2. different types of case studies;
      3. the steps needed to develop a case study for your own research.

      WEEK 5 - SEMINAR: INTRODUCTION

      In preparation for our seminar, watch this video on how Nigeria succeeded in containing its Ebola outbreak in 2014.


      Come prepared to comment on: 

      (a) why Nigeria’s experience with the epidemic was to a large extent, unique, and why the lessons from that case can only in part be learned by other countries. 

      (b) Please clearly highlight which lessons may be valid in other contexts, and which may not, and; 

      (c) Name and justify three specific policies you could recommend to countries to prepare for a potential epidemic, based on Nigeria’s experience?


      Readings for this session:

      1. Barzelay, M., 2007. Learning from Second-hand Experience: Methodology for Extrapolation-oriented Case Research. Governance 20(3), pp.521–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0491.2007.00369.x.
      2. Crowe, S., Cresswell, K., Robertson, A., Huby, G., Avery, A., and Sheikh, A., (2011). The Case Study Approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology 11(1), p.100. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-11-100 (Links to an external site.).
      3. Heale, R. and Twycross, A., 2018. What Is a Case Study? Evidence-Based Nursing 21(1), pp.7–8. https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102845 (Links to an external site.).
      4. Seawright, J. and Gerring, J., (2008). Case Selection Techniques in Case Study Research: A Menu of Qualitative and Quantitative Options. Political Research Quarterly 61(2), pp.294–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/1065912907313077.
      5. Yin, R. K. and Campbell, D. T., 2018. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. Sixth edition. Los Angeles: SAGE.

    • Week 5 title - slides File
      Students must
      Mark as done

      These slides accompany week 5 video lecture

      5.9 MB
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