OR Conference 2004

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OR Conference 2004

• Evaluating the Effectiveness of OR Case Studies
• Jeremy Garnett Colleagues

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Outline

• Background OR Case Studies
• About the Study
• Results and Conclusions
• Developing Practical Case Studies

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Reasons for Using Case Studies

• They improve student motivation
• They increase the effectiveness of the learning
  cycle
• They are most effective in developing skills
  relevant to the workplace

?
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Paisley Case Studies

• 1985-1995
• Business Economics Maths, 3rd Year
• Small groups
• One week
• Industrial examples
• Linear Programming ( Regression)

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Nature of Investigation

• Interviews Web-questionnaire
• Snow-balling, social networks
• Recall, Memories and Reflections
• Workplace Problem-solving Experiences
• Links between the Case Study and Workplace ?

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Results

• Most respondents remembered the CS
• Clear memories of
• fellow team members, who was good at what,
  effort involved, meetings in the pub or coffee
  room
• Vague memories of
• the problem, the techniques, the assessment

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Case Study Skills

• Group Working - working with colleagues, sharing
  ideas, resolving disputes..
• Time and Resource Management access to
  computers, deadlines, arranging meetings..
• Problem Solving where to start, goals
  objectives, different ideas, seeking help
• Technical quantitative techniques, analysing
  complex data, using computer programs

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Recall of Case Study Skills
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Importance of Skills in the Workplace ?
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Which Skills did the Case Study Most Improve ?
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Other Insights

• The social process of practical problem solving
• Not just right and wrong, but
• Self-confidence, trust, mutual-respect, teamwork,
  piggy-backing
• . good solutions

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Evolving Case Studies

• Business application based originate from real
  world examples
• Holistic Marketing, HR, Finance,
• Simple calculations and techniques
• Use of Reflection

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Summary

• Good case studies can make a lasting impression.
• Problem-solving skills of long-term practical
  benefit
• Case studies should be about tackling problems,
  not practising techniques.

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Further details, links, references,
examples. plus comments, feedback and
suggestions. http//csep.paisley.ac.uk