Mental Framework

Conceptual Overview and Discussion

Mental frameworks are important for case studies because researchers need to keep their case study questions, theories, and hypothesized relationships in their minds throughout the process of collecting case study data. Other research methods may not necessarily have such a requirement. For instance, when doing experiments, data collection consists of conducting a large number of trials, either testing a series of human subjects or else manipulating some apparatus. The successful collection of data from each trial depends mainly on adhering closely to a prescribed set of procedures, and in many cases the data for an experiment are collected by research or laboratory assistants who may not be aware of the main hypotheses or theories underlying the experiment's design. The assistant's entire focus is on the proper and careful execution of each trial. A mental framework is absent because the study's questions, theories, or other topics being investigated are not on the assistant's mind.

For an explanatory case study, the framework held in the case study investigator's mind consists of the questions, theories, and hypotheses being studied. If the case study is a descriptive study, the framework consists of some definition of the subject of the study and of the study's scope. Similarly, if the case study is an exploratory study, the framework consists of an understanding of what is being explored and why, and what the investigator hopes to learn from the exploration.

Application

In conducting case study research, the mental framework supports three important functions. All three functions demonstrate the interaction between the framework and the data collection process.

First, the framework should contain sufficient questions and answers that are central to the topic being studied to start and to continue to define a line of inquiry. This includes what evidence to seek, in what order, and from what sources, as well as the broad lines of inquiry work that will reveal the issues for the entire case study. More specific lines of inquiry can influence the line of questioning pursued during a specific interview. The actual line of inquiry can and should evolve throughout the data collection process.

Note that, although the data collection for case studies should be driven by a formal case study protocol, the protocol does not impose any particular sequence of questions, as would a questionnaire.

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