For this blog, I am going to provide a summary of chapters two and three. In chapter two of On the Case,  Dyson and Genishi discuss how to set up or “case out the joint” as the authors like to describe it. They are trying to inform the readers that “the information that researchers initially gather and, further, the conceptual tools…” (20) are what researchers can use to create the information that shapes their study. They go on to further explain how information can be found from things such as the location; time; aesthetics; and social interaction.

To further elaborate on how Dyson and Genishi use location as a median for gathering data, they separate locations. A researcher could collect data from where the location of the potential study is. The researcher could also collect data from the location’s interior dimensions. Both of these scenarios can provide information that lead to insights in which give qualitative descriptions about the participant’s quality of life.

Time is another tool that can be used to gain information. Chapter two describes that people can be dictated by time. They can either be manipulated by environmental structures, such as building limitations, or people can be limited by time such as scheduling conflicts. I found this to be interesting because when you are thinking about organizing how to develop a strategy for research, time is an important factor, but you do not necessarily think about how your natural settings can affect your time limits.

A researcher can also use aesthetics as a form of data. They can use the different styles of materials on the walls of the proposed study environment. The different type of materials can lead to the researcher catching a glimpse of a larger picture of the participant’s daily social structure and community. Aesthetics can often relate to social interactions. Events where participants engage with each other can divulge information that can lead the researcher setting up different types of studies. The researchers can get a sense of the type of community in which the potential study is surrounded by.

In chapter three of On the Case, the authors brings together the two different case studies and further explores how the different techniques of gathering data can be carried out with different environments. In this chapter the most helpful thing was that the authors compared and contrasted the two scenarios side by side. One thing that I want to mention is about how chapters two and three of On the Case closely tie together. I find it extremely helpful when an author builds on previous examples from their texts. This allows me, as the reader, to better understand and compare the information that the author is trying to convey. There is another important piece of information that I find important. The authors make sure to distinguish between studies and the purpose for their collection of data so that the focus is maintained. I like to call this maintain the frame. By “casing out the joint” and using all avenues of data collection to frame the study, the frame or focus of the proposed study will be easier to maintain.