This course focuses on conducting a case study of an individual family, using interview and observation methods, and then systematically comparing that family with the family studied by another student. It uses our well practiced skills in comparing and contrasting. In comparative case studies, we describe similarities and differences across the cases and discuss why these occur. The research is conducted in three stages across the semester. At each stage, a product is produced, and students receive a score and comments on that product.
Groups report to the class on their progress at each stage.
Gathering background information, obtaining consent, and planning the study. The student chooses a parent to study, reads the attached lists of topic ideas, and chooses a topic. The topic does not need to be from that list. The student should begin reading materials on this topic early in the semester. Chapter and article suggestions are given in the attached list of topics.