Case Studies

What's good/bad about case studies when technology is concerned?

Case studies can often feel one sided and more slanted if the researcher is not entirely careful. They provide a valuable tool though. The tool of story telling. If case studies are completed rigorously they can provide a more satisfying and persuasive account of the researchers story. I believe that the use of technology really assists the rigor of the story. Due to the nature of technology and its ability to track events and facts better than a human might be able to it provides an increased level of credibility to the researcher than otherwise might have existed.

After reading Sun's case studies in her dissertation I am certain that the use of technology assisted her in formulating a complete story of her participants use. Without the use of technology she would not have been able to track the particular details of use as accurately as she had. She also would not have had a dissertation since it was about technology nor would it have been as interesting. The use of technology also allowed her to contact and include an international study participant to whom she might have not otherwise had contact.