The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Interpret in context: generalizing from the single case in evaluation

Interpret in context: generalizing from the single case in evaluation
Interpret in context: generalizing from the single case in evaluation
This article presents an argument for how to generalize from a single case study evaluation of a social programme or policy, focusing on two essential elements of case study – context and particularity. Taking an interpretivist perspective and drawing on artistic and humanistic ways of understanding, it examines both different ways of generalizing from the case that retain a connection with the context in which they first arose and how we generalize by direct encounter with the particular. This argument is not new. It has its origins in earlier centuries and, in contemporary evaluation, dating back to the 1970s. However, in a political climate that privileges evaluation approaches stemming from large sample studies and experimental designs, it seems timely to restate the value of generalizing from the single case. Grounded in the reality of programme experience and retaining that connection with context and particulars in the case facilitates the use of evaluation knowledge.
agency, artistic, case study evaluation, context, generalization, narrative, particularization, qualitative, singular
173-188
Simons, H.
3f029b50-c852-4ba6-9cbf-2a3b6e2a5c33
Simons, H.
3f029b50-c852-4ba6-9cbf-2a3b6e2a5c33

Simons, H. (2015) Interpret in context: generalizing from the single case in evaluation. Evaluation, 21 (2), 173-188. (doi:10.1177/1356389015577512).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This article presents an argument for how to generalize from a single case study evaluation of a social programme or policy, focusing on two essential elements of case study – context and particularity. Taking an interpretivist perspective and drawing on artistic and humanistic ways of understanding, it examines both different ways of generalizing from the case that retain a connection with the context in which they first arose and how we generalize by direct encounter with the particular. This argument is not new. It has its origins in earlier centuries and, in contemporary evaluation, dating back to the 1970s. However, in a political climate that privileges evaluation approaches stemming from large sample studies and experimental designs, it seems timely to restate the value of generalizing from the single case. Grounded in the reality of programme experience and retaining that connection with context and particulars in the case facilitates the use of evaluation knowledge.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: April 2015
Keywords: agency, artistic, case study evaluation, context, generalization, narrative, particularization, qualitative, singular
Organisations: Southampton Education School

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 388315
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/388315
PURE UUID: 51563897-97ab-4808-a28b-ee4011af0552

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 23 Feb 2016 15:05
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 22:55

Export record

Altmetrics

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×