Itis also essential to draw on theory to help design the case study. One of the theories on which I interpose with my own thinking is that of Urie Bronfenbrenner, and how the individual microsystems and the mesosystem, operative during Rory's adolescence, have contributed to his drug taking. However, it is also highly desirable to develop alternate theories in an attempt to explain the same phenomena. This is a particular challenge which I am presently grappling with.
I have elected to conduct a descriptive and explanatory case study, and to this end must be cautioned not to endeavour to describe and explain everything which will be tantamount to a virtual impossibility, which is, after all, a potential pitfall of case study research. Inquiries into relevant issues raised by Rory during the interviews, together with a priori issues, will guide and specify my reading, and simultaneous review ofliterature. Focussing on specific salient themes, which attempt to go hand in hand with my research questions is desirable, ego Rory's sense of not belonging and the influence of peers on his drug taking.
The next stage in Yin's case study method is the actual designing of the case study itself The research design is an action plan which sets out how to travel from "here" to "there", where
"here" may be defined as the set of research questions to be answered, and "there" is some set of answers in response to such questions. I have already mentioned that to this end my study is a holistic one, based on the experiences of a single person, and interpreted within the framework of existing literature on drug-taking.
Just as with all other research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, issues apropos validity and reliability are of paramount importance. However, in case study research, validity and reliability are addressed throughout the study at the relevant stages, in order to continuously assess its quality and integrity. In order to address both internal and external validity ofthe study, reviewing all possible causal links, as well as any alternate theories, to explain a particular outcome, will be preferable.
Taking all the abovementioned issues into account, it stands to reason that the researcher needs to possess specific skills in preparing to collect, and subsequently collecting, the data. Yin mentions five such investigative skills which the researcher has to acquire through experience and practice. Very briefly, the skills needed are those relating to question asking, listening, adaptiveness and flexibility, grasping of the issues being studied and freedom from bias. Itis not difficult to see that these skills are highly relevant and of critical necessity to effective case research. I can only hope that the particular counselling skills which I have been endeavouring to put into practice this year, ego question asking and listening, have indeed stood the test of time.
A case study researcher also needs to design a case study protocol, which contains the basic research questions, as well as the questions to be asked in the interviews, a plan as to how such data is to be collected, and finally thoughts and ideas pertaining to the analysis, interpretation and the actual writing up of the case study report.
Apart from a case study protocol, it is also necessary to create a case study database which relates to the organisation of the evidence as well as new insights gained from the evidence, obtained during data collection. This is an excellent manner to systematically organise all evidence into salient themes that reflect the case study design and enquiry, which in turn creates significant insights into the data. The creation ofboth a case study protocol and database assists in addressing
the reliability ofthe study in question. Two of the recurrent themes which have emerged pursuant to my data collection, and preliminary analysis, are those around family dynamics, or dysfunction, and peer influence, which themes are indeed dominant in the literature. I would like to quote from the first interview:
Rory says:"My parents divorced when I was 16... andjust that my whole concept ofsociety, religion, family andjust thewcryyou're brought up that the family's like a unit, and when that crumbles and is destroyed, there's really nothing left, and I realised, you know, I had big issues with my father, because of how different we were, and my mother we used to fight, and my sister we always used to fight. So, it was pretty hectic. So I realised I was on
my own from a very young age I'd say, or maybe that was just in my
mind, but that's how I felt. So I felt that I could basically do what I want and I was going to do that. So, then I went to this new school, and as I said there were a lot more drugs around and that, and I got involved"
Later on in the same interview he said:
I could only sort ofrelate to people who did drugs, you know. Then I got into the whole rave scene, and I felt like it was one big unity, and this was where I belonged, and mcrybe I felt that whole family thing again maybe... that you can get along with these people because you're the same as them, somaybe I felt this feeling of belonging.
Analysing case study data is an immensely challenging, time-consuming, but ultimately richly rewarding task. This is where I am at present - about to start analysing my data. To this end, I envisage that I will be concentrating on two or three dominant themes inherent in the data, ego peer influence and family dynamics, and to subsequently link these themes to existing theory and literature in order to explain certain outcomes, that is, drug-taking. Bronfenbrenner states that a person does not exist in isolation - and Rory is no exception. Many factors may have impacted upon the predisposing and precipitating factors surrounding his drug taking. However, exactly which particular impact needs special emphasis at a specific time - therein lies my challenge over the next few months.
I would like to end my presentation with a reading of one ofRory's recent diary entries, as well as a poem which he wrote last year, which will afford you the unique. opportunity to step inside the mind of a drug user and to accompany him on his journey, even if only for a brief moment or two.
On this particular night, Rory consumed1ecstasy tablet, 10beers, 3/4 bottle rum, 4 tots whiskey, and 1marijuana joint. He writes:
Really drunken mood, E makes thefeelingmuch nicer, not much energy though. Everything seemssosurreal and beautiful. Marijuana relaxing, but don't like the hallucinations. Quite scary. People'sfaces turn slightly yellow, green. Where they have scars or blemishes they go black, freaky, but must relax and enjoy. Sometimes wonder why even do this. Probably chasing or trying to get back the original euphoric experiences I once used to get. Could dance and rave all night on one E and4hours wouldgoby without me knowing.
Rory's poem, which he composed last year, reads as follows:
Woman ofmy life black sunshine gold Looks, feels and tastes so good
Get a lite, smoke my pipe.
All my troubles vanish into thin air.
Then I have another hit and my vision Blurs into warped distortions. My mind can't comprehend
What a life she is for me
My mind, body and soul, as free as can be.
WlJy won't this feeling of ecstasy never leave me 'Cause she's a fleeting illusion that is there To haunt and taunt till I get a scare.
I'm rushing, running, racing after her
Like a ghost in the darkness she's one step ahead
Leaving me haunted, exhausted andfucked up in the head Jah, what can I do to tame
The ghost ofmidnight, my body desires Even more.
What is this thing I sacrifice my life for
Coloured black and goldjust waiting to appease This appetite lustful tonight.
I got a scare.
THANK YOU