Qualitative Case Studies

Hi, Jocelyn! It is nice to e-meet you. I too am interested in the experience of college students. More specifically, I hope to focus on how mental health affects the experience and academic performance of college students. Based on our similar research interests, I also believe qualitative data is very useful to research students’ experiences. Those using this paradigm have the “empathetic understanding” viewpoint, or “verstehen,” when conducting their research (Johnson & Christensen, 2017, p. 36). It is vital that the researcher put themselves in the students’ shoes to fully understand how their experience may be affected by being the first person in their family to attend college. They must be empathetic to the students’ precautions, fears, and culture. Particularly as first generation students, these scholars may have different anxieties that legacy students do not.

Case studies may be another valuable tool in the qualitative method for your research. Case studies can help focus on a specific first-generation student and observe them in their lived reality. When assessing the “experience” of college students, I think it is very important to see them in their natural setting. Perhaps a factor in the students’ experience with their college depends on the overall atmosphere of their university. However, one drawback to using this type of analysis is that the results from one specific student may be hard to generalize to others. Additionally, depending on if the case study follows the student for their entire four years of undergrad, the process could be very time consuming. However, I do believe a case study could provide in-depth information for your research topic that simple interviews, or a one-time naturalistic observation, could not