Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Case studies and a single, differentiated reality: a reply to Sue Llewellyn
AU - Sayer, Andrew
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Purpose – The paper's purpose is to provide a commentary on “Case studies and differentiated realities” a paper by Sue Llewellyn published in Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management Vol. 4 No 1, 2007Design/methodology/approach – The approach is to draw upon critical realist and other philosophy of social science to respond constructively to Llewellyn's paper.Findings – Rejects the claim that we need a concept of plural realities rather than a concept of a single, differentiated reality. Endorses Llewellyn's argument that different meanings of objectivity and subjectivity often go unnoticed, undermining their user's arguments. Takes issue with Llewellyn's claim that surveys are better suited to stable situations and case studies for changing situations. Adds support to the defence of case studies against the charge of lack of representativeness, by drawing upon ontological arguments about part-whole relations and upon defences of practical reason.Originality/value – The implication of these points is that a still stronger defence of case study approaches can be made.
AB - Purpose – The paper's purpose is to provide a commentary on “Case studies and differentiated realities” a paper by Sue Llewellyn published in Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management Vol. 4 No 1, 2007Design/methodology/approach – The approach is to draw upon critical realist and other philosophy of social science to respond constructively to Llewellyn's paper.Findings – Rejects the claim that we need a concept of plural realities rather than a concept of a single, differentiated reality. Endorses Llewellyn's argument that different meanings of objectivity and subjectivity often go unnoticed, undermining their user's arguments. Takes issue with Llewellyn's claim that surveys are better suited to stable situations and case studies for changing situations. Adds support to the defence of case studies against the charge of lack of representativeness, by drawing upon ontological arguments about part-whole relations and upon defences of practical reason.Originality/value – The implication of these points is that a still stronger defence of case study approaches can be made.
KW - Case studies
KW - Management research
KW - Reality
U2 - 10.1108/11766090810861411
DO - 10.1108/11766090810861411
M3 - Journal article
VL - 5
SP - 11
EP - 14
JO - Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management
JF - Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management
SN - 1176-6093
IS - 1
ER -