1.3 The Case Study Approach Applied To The Regional Mobilization Of Population Health

The case study is a research strategy that focusses on understanding the dynamics present within single settings¹ by:

• conducting a holistic analysis of action systems through understanding actions, events and processes in terms of their context and interactions and considering them from multiple perspectives²

• triangulating data sources in order to capture the complex and multi-faceted nature of the situations being studied³

• using an open and emergent research strategy, allowing for the discovery of unanticipated and fortuitous findings.⁴

The case study approach is ideal for this in-depth examination of the regional mobilization of population health. In all of the initiatives examined in these case studies, the efforts that have been devoted to the mobilization of population health have included many intangible elements of stance toward partners, value orientations, ways of reframing problems, etc. Moreover, much of the mobilization work has been invested in developing the partnerships and decision-making models underlying intersectoral collaboration, the results of which are not necessarily expressed or visible in any particular product. The case study methodology helps make explicit the intents behind the actions, highlights the work done behind the scenes and enhances appreciation of the more intangible aspects of the mobilization effort.

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1. Karen Eisenhardt, "Building theories from case study research," Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 14, No. 4, 1989.

2. D. Snow and L. Anderson, "Researching the homeless: the characteristics, features and virtues of the case study," in J. Feagin, A. Orum and G. Sjoberg, A case for the case study, University of North Caroline Press, 1991.

3. D. Campbell, "Degrees of freedom and the case study," in T. Cook and C. Reichardt, Qualitative and quantitative methods in evaluation research, Sage, Beverly Hills, 1979.

4. D. Snow and L. Anderson, op. cit.

 

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