6 Case Study | Latin American community (in the US)
A crucial aspect of educating ourselves and our community is by learning about alternative methods of research and knowledge, a valuable approach to understanding a topic from different perspectives. By doing so, people can discover how cultures and communities approach research and knowledge, which can help broaden their understanding and perspectives beyond the Western positivist model often presented in traditional textbooks. It is important for students to be aware of the different methods of analysis and to critically review existing scholarly and applied literatures to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. Additionally, seeking out knowledge and methods from diverse communities can provide valuable insights and perspectives that may not be captured in traditional textbook material.
The article, “What is a Case Study and What is it Good For?” by John Gerring explores the nature of case study research and its applications in political science. Gerring defines a case study as, “an intensive study of a single unit with an aim to generalize across a larger set of units” (p. 341). Case studies can be used to explore a wide range of topics, including historical events, policy implementation, and social phenomena. He also identifies other benefits of case study research, including its ability to generate new hypotheses and theories, to complement other research methods such as statistical analysis. However, Gerring also highlights several limitations of case study research, such as its susceptibility to researcher bias, the difficulty of generalizing findings to larger populations, and the potential for incomplete or inaccurate data.
Despite these limitations, Gerring argues that case studies remain a valuable research method, especially when used with other research methods. He concludes that case studies should be viewed as a complement to other research methods rather than a substitute for them, and that they have an important role to play in advancing our understanding of complex political phenomena.
Different methods of analysis can be broadly classified into three categories: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Quantitative research involves the collection of numerical data through standardized measures and statistical analyses. It typically relies on large sample sizes to generalize findings to larger populations. Quantitative methods are often used in experimental, survey, and correlational research. Qualitative research involves the collection of non-numerical data such as text, images, and observations to explore and understand phenomena. Qualitative methods are often used in ethnographic, phenomenological, and grounded theory research.
After discussing important questions with my grandmother and other elders in the Latin community about differences in the research approach of “textbook material” of history, they expressed many significant comparisons. The traditional textbook material that leans towards a Western positivist model emphasizes the use of quantitative research methods and objective data to generate universal laws or theories. However, Spanish homes and communities place a greater emphasis on storytelling, personal narratives, and qualitative research methods to understand historical events and social phenomena.
Spanish communities have unique cultural traditions and practices that have been passed down through generations and are not always captured by objective data or quantitative analysis. This can include folklore, oral histories, and other forms of knowledge that may be difficult to quantify or measure. Spanish homes and communities may have different epistemological assumptions, or ways of acquiring knowledge, that may challenge the traditional Western positivist model. These assumptions may include a greater emphasis on subjectivity, context, and cultural diversity. Therefore, by reaching out to their own communities of living, students can gain a more nuanced understanding of different epistemological assumptions, research methods, and forms of knowledge that may diverge, contrast, or complement the traditional western positivist model. This can help to broaden their research perspectives and generate new insights into complex social phenomena.
Overall, reaching out to one’s own community is a valuable approach to understanding a topic from different perspectives and gaining insight into alternative methods of research and knowledge. It can help broaden one’s understanding beyond traditional textbook material and provide a more nuanced understanding of complex issues.
References
Campos, Belinda, and Heejung S Kim. Incorporating the Cultural Diversity of Family and Close Relationships … 2017, https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/amp-amp0000122.pdf.
Gerring, John. “The Case Study: What It Is and What It Does.” The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics, 2009, pp. 90–122., https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199566020.003.0004.
Raffaelli, Marcela, and Angela R. Wiley. “Challenges and Strengths of Immigrant Latino Families in the Rural Midwest.” Journal of Family Issues, vol. 34, no. 3, 2012, pp. 347–372., https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513×11432422.
