Case Study- The Qualitative Method of Impact Analysis Weed and Seed Amanda M. Olejarski, MPA March 12, 2008

1. Case Study- The Qualitative Method of Impact Analysis Weed and Seed Amanda M. Olejarski, MPA March 12, 2008

2. What is the Case Study Evaluation Design? • Is it a method? What about an approach? • It is one of the most frequently used. • It does use qualitative and quantitative methods. • The case is the focus.

3. What is the Case Study Evaluation Design? • 3 features of case studies: • Focus on one case • In-depth understanding • Triangulated data collection

4. Yin’s (1989) 5 types: Linear-analytic Comparative Theory-building Suspense Unsequenced “Other” types: Heuristic Plausibility probe Theoretically-informed Crucial/critical Deviant Relevatory What is the Case Study Evaluation Design?

5. When and How is it Used? • Yin’s (1994) 3 purposes: • Descriptive • Explanatory • Exploratory

6. When and How is it Used? • Stake’s (1998) 2 purposes: • Instrumental • Intrinsic

7. When and How is it Used? • So are there any rules, guidelines, methods for applying the case study design? Not really…. • Explicit rationale for case selection • Responsive methods • Established protocols • Uncertainty and degree of confidence

8.  Particularization Deeper understanding Less assumptions Fact-driven Triangulated methodologies  Lack of generalization Lack of clearly defined methods Time-consuming Costs Bias in data collection and analysis Advantages and Disadvantages

9. Case Study: Weed and Seed • Weed and Seed is a national organization located in high-crime cities throughout the US. • Goal is to weed out criminals and seed the neighborhood with revitalization efforts. • Community policing is the bridge between weeding and seeding.

10. Case Study: Weed and Seed • Key to local sites is the steering committee • Chaired by local Attorney General • Members include local, state, and federal agencies, business leaders, and community activists

11. Case Study: Weed and Seed • US DOJ conducted case studies of 8 programs between 1995-1997. • Akron case differs because of decreased funding and delayed implementation. • Findings of the case study? • Too early to tell!

12. Case Study: Weed and Seed • Data-collection methods: • On-site visits • Interviews with staff and participants • Document analysis • Resident survey • Crime-rate analysis

13. Case Study: Weed and Seed • Findings: • Part 1 crimes declining more rapidly in W&S area than city-wide from 1994-96… interesting considering: • W&S funding FY 95=$35k, FY97=$123k

14. Case Study: Weed and Seed • Findings: • “There are few specific lessons to be learned…” (p. 17). • “The survey findings can serve as a useful tool later…” (p. 20). • 95 very safe day=56% 97 very safe day=53% • 95 very safe night=19% 97 very safe night=20% • 95 W&S=10% 97 W&S=10%

15. Case Study: Weed and Seed • Was the case study approach used well? Sure…. • Were there any problems with the case? Does the fact that it hadn’t even been implemented yet count?

16. My reaction?