Experiences of Educational Researchers in the Use of the Case Study Design During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Lessons From a South African Rural Setting

Abstract

This article explores the usefulness of the case study design in the creation of educational knowledge during uncertain times such as wars, disease outbreaks, famine, and pandemics, including Covid-19 pandemic. This is done at a time when others still doubt its contribution to the creation of knowledge. They criticize it for among other things, its lack of robustness and, its dependency on single case occurrences. In the current Covid-19 pandemic circumstances, further advantages of its application may be highlighted. Thus, the question is: to what extent does a case study design contribute toward knowledge creation during uncertain times? This article reflects on the experiences of educational researchers in using the case study design and its contribution to the creation of knowledge during the Covid-19 pandemic in a rural South African setting. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews with four researchers who were purposively selected to participate in the study and was analyzed by developing categories and themes. Despite the constraints imposed by the pandemic, such as the inaccessibility of participants during data creation, the case study design proved to be a suitable alternative approach. The article argues that the use of the case study design is appropriate during uncertain times because of its flexibility and plausibleness. This includes, the understanding of the dynamic nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its management. For example, the case study design enables researchers to highlight the unique nature of different contexts created by the Covid-19 pandemic. It might also assist researchers in assessing and constructing additional data while observing social distancing. The implication of the study is that researchers need to consider the use of the case design in dealing with emergent issues. It may also help policy makers in the understanding and management of future public health advocacy campaigns regarding Covid-19 pandemic.