Using the Case Survey Method To Analyze Policy Studies.

Robert K. Yin and Karen A. Heald A common feature of most policy literatures is that the bulk of the empirical evidence is embodied in case studies. This presents a problem for subsequent analysis. Although each case study may provide rich insights into a specific situation, it is difficultto generalize aboutthe studies as a whole. The following article describes one means of dealing with the problem: analyzing the content of case studies by using a closed-ended questionnaire. The resulting case survey method allows an analyst to aggregate the case study experiences and to assess the quality of each case study in a reliable and replicable manner.1