6A.2.2 Case Study : A case study is an in-depth, intensive and detailed study of an individual or the client.

The focus in case study is on factors contributing to the development of particular personality patterns and /or problems. The case study employs all possible tools and techniques that seem appropriate to understand an individual (e.g., observation, interview, self-reports, teachers ratings, checklist, sociometry, document analysis, anti-biographics etc.). It gives detailed information regarding different perspectives that cannot be attained by any other methods. Case study is the most comprehensive of all analytical techniques because it makes use of all other assessment techniques. Case study as an assessment technique is used by counselors to provide a means of integrating and summarizing all available information about the client in order to determine what further steps should be taken to enhance his or her development. Remember that collection of case study data is not simple stockpiling of information. Rather, the purpose of a case study is to present the client as a fully functioning totality within his her environment. Therefore, a case may be selected to understand the mechanism by which problems accrue or a case study may attempt to achieve a better understanding of the problems of a child. For example, a case study may be conducted on student who has a problem in reading or in arithmetic. We employ case study method to study the whole individual (in her dynamic developmental process) so that we may better understand his concerns, the reasons for his actions and behaviours and plan the course of action, which is appropriate for him. Therefore we may say case study is a synthesis and interpretation of information about the client and his/her relationships to his / her environment. As counselors it would help you to understand the nature and cases of the clients behaviour, personality trends and difficulties in adjustment. Then the question arises how to conduct a good case study? You will now learn about the characteristics of a good case study, types of information used, how a case study is organized and how to report a case study.

Characteristics of a Good Case Study :

A good case study is concerned with the individuals past, present and future. The data colleted from different sources, at different times through various tools and techniques, should be analyzed synthesized and presented in a manner to present a complete view of the individual/ clients life. A good case study is dynamic and longitudinal and not static and cross sectional. The focus of the case study may be the whole individual or a small part. The focus of the study varies widely and depends on the age of the client, the purpose of assessment, the working situation and the experience of the counselor. Types of information used in a Case Study : You have learnt that the aim of gathering information about a person is to develop a holistic perspective, to be able to understand him / her and provide proper guidance and counseling. The various kinds of information used in a case study are gathered from all reliable sources. Cumulative records, observations, interviews, self reports, tests, peer appraisal data, teaches perceptions, from parents, friends, relatives.

Organization of a Case Study :

The organization of case study depends on two major factors :

The purpose for which the case study is being prepared. This depends upon the heads of the client, counselor, parents, referral agency or purpose of study. The competencies and skill of the counselor/researcher in collecting, organizing and using information. Organization involves providing an outline or format and developing and executing a logical plan such as to present the information in an integrated manner.

6A.2.4 Autobiography : You might have read a number of autobiographies of great personalities, some of the common are My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi, autobiography of an unknown Indian by Niral C. Choudhury. An autobiography is a description of an individual in his own words. As a guidance technique for studying the individual, it gives a valuable information about the individuals interests, abilities, personal history, hopes, ambitions, likes, dislikes, etc. In guidance, structured autobiographic items are given to the individual and he is asked to write them out. The autobiographical material is verified by various other means. Since feelings, values and attitude can not be measured by any other technique, autobiography appears to be the one technique for appraising these characteristics.
Case conference is a case conference supporting or complementary activities in Guidance and Counseling to discuss the problems students (counselee) in a meeting, attended by the parties who can provide information, convenience and commitment in alleviating the problems of students (counselee).

Indeed, not all the problems faced by students (counselee) should be the case conference. But for problems that are categorized as complicated and needs the involvement of other parties seem very important case conference to be implemented. Through case conferences, student problem-solving process (the counselee) do not just rely on a counselor at the school per se, but it can be done in a collaborative, involving the various parties who are considered competent and have an interest in the problems faced by students (counselee).

Nevertheless, the case conference meetings is limited and closed. That is, not all parties can be included in the conference cases, only those considered to have influence and interests directly with the problems of students (counselee) which may be involved in case conferences. Similarly, every conversation that appears in the case conference is confidential and is only to be known by the conference participants.

Case conference is not the kind of "trial" that will determine the punishment for students. For example, case conferences to discuss student drug cases experienced by X. Decisions taken at the conference not to be "judge" of the students in question, which ultimately forced the student be expelled from school, but the case conference should be able to produce a decision how best to enable students are able to recover from drug addiction.

B. Destination In general, the purpose of the case conference is held to seek the best way for solving the problems experienced by students (counselee) and case conference specifically aims to:

1. Getting consistency, if a teacher or counselor turns to find a variety of data / information that is deemed contradictory or less harmonious with each other (cross check the data) 2. Getting consensus from the conference participants in interpreting the data is fairly comprehensive and complicated that concern students (counselee) in order to facilitate decision making 3. Gaining understanding, acceptance, approval of the commitment the role of the conference participants on the problems faced by students (counselee) and its efforts pengentasannya.

C. Procedure Case conference can be reached through the following steps:

Example: The Employment Self Esteem Scale

Here's an example of a ten-item Likert Scale that attempts to estimate the level of self esteem a person has on the job. Notice that this instrument has no center or neutral point -- the respondent has to declare whether he/she is in agreement or disagreement with the item. INSTRUCTIONS: Please rate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements by placing a check mark in the appropriate box.
1. I feel good about my work on the job.

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2. On the whole, I get along well with others at work. 3. I am proud of my ability to cope with difficulties at work. 4. When I feel uncomfortable at work, I know how to handle it. 5. I can tell that other people at work are glad to have me there. 6. I know I'll be able to cope with work for as long as I want. 7. I am proud of my relationship with my supervisor at work. 8. I am confident that I can handle my job without constant assistance. 9. I feel like I make a useful contribution at work. 10. I can tell that my coworkers respect me.

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