Building Authentic Case Studies was a two-day workshop that took place during Spring into Methods 2023. The Spring into Methods programme runs annually and brings together arts, humanities, social science, and other doctoral researchers from across Scotland to offer sessions providing an in-depth approach to learning a specific research method.

The motivation for the Building Authentic Case Studies workshop, organised by Dr Shannon Harris, was found within the following context:

When conducting qualitative research at doctoral level, interviews are often relied upon as a primary data collection method. Often, this method is selected without much consideration to the practical and philosophical underpinnings of interviews within case study design. In this light, Dr Harris sought to help students unpack the design of their case study research to highlight the importance of paradigmatic consistency within case studies and to explore effective interview practice.  

Throughout this workshop, students were able to actively shape their research design within a participatory and interdisciplinary environment, with the help and support of those who’ve published in case study research. Beyond the help of scholars, the support and ideas they gave to one another was the true value of this workshop experience. Students engaged extensively and sophisticatedly with this research approach, moving beyond descriptions of ‘what happened’ in their cases, towards logical inquiry with worthwhile contributions to knowledge.  

Listen to this 10-minute podcast where students share their experiences at the workshop:

The Spring into Methods 2024 programme will be announced and open for applications in February 2024. It’s sure to have plenty of cutting-edge workshops to help you take your research to the next level, so watch this space, PhDs!