IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/taf/accted/v19y2010i6p555-567.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Teaching with Case Studies: An Empirical Investigation of Accounting Lecturers' Experiences

Author

Listed:
  • Margaret Healy
  • Maeve McCutcheon

Abstract

The case study method has come under increasing attention in recent decades with some writers extolling its potential to promote deeper learning. However, in the area of accounting education, ongoing calls for its use are not matched with similar accounts of successful use. Using a phenomenological approach, this study explores how accounting lecturers at an Irish university experience teaching with case studies. Three categories of description emerge: controller, facilitator, and partner. Of these, only the partners apply the case method with the explicit intention of fostering deeper learning and personal development. This suggests that, to inform the debate on its potential benefits, more extensive consideration needs to be paid to the manner in which accounting educators actually engage with the case method. Research in accounting education should move beyond consideration of teaching method to focus on the underlying affective and institutional factors which colour interpretation of the teaching context.

Suggested Citation

  • Margaret Healy & Maeve McCutcheon, 2010. "Teaching with Case Studies: An Empirical Investigation of Accounting Lecturers' Experiences," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(6), pages 555-567.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:accted:v:19:y:2010:i:6:p:555-567
    DOI: 10.1080/09639284.2010.501577
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09639284.2010.501577
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1080/09639284.2010.501577?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ursula Lucas, 2001. "Deep and surface approaches to learning within introductory accounting: a phenomenographic study," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 161-184.
    2. Kate Wynn-Williams & Rosalind Whiting & Ralph Adler, 2008. "The Influence of Business Case Studies on Learning Styles: An Empirical Investigation," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(2), pages 113-128.
    3. Ralph Adler & Markus Milne & Carolyn Stringer, 2000. "Identifying and overcoming obstacles to learner-centred approaches in tertiary accounting education: a field study and survey of accounting educators' perceptions," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(2), pages 113-134.
    4. Lynne Leveson, 2004. "Encouraging better learning through better teaching: a study of approaches to teaching in accounting," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(4), pages 529-548.
    5. Gordon Boyce & Sarah Williams & Andrea Kelly & Helen Yee, 2001. "Fostering deep and elaborative learning and generic (soft) skill development: the strategic use of case studies in accounting education," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 37-60.
    6. Trevor Hassall & Sarah Lewis & Mike Broadbent, 1998. "Teaching and learning using case studies: a teaching note," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(4), pages 325-334.
    7. Ralph Adler & Rosalind Whiting & Kate Wynn-Williams, 2004. "Student-led and teacher-led case presentations: empirical evidence about learning styles in an accounting course," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 213-229.
    8. John Cullen & Sue Richardson & Rona O'Brien, 2004. "Exploring the teaching potential of empirically-based case studies," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 251-266.
    9. Markus Milne & Philip McConnell, 2001. "Problem-based learning: a pedagogy for using case material in accounting education," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 61-82.
    10. Sidney Weil & Peter Oyelere & Elizabeth Rainsbury, 2004. "The usefulness of case studies in developing core competencies in a professional accounting programme: a New Zealand study," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 139-169.
    11. James Rebele, 2002. "Accounting education's uncertain environments: descriptions and implications for accounting programmes and accounting education research," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(1), pages 3-25.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Harshini P. Siriwardane, 2014. "Kiondo Bag Boutique: A Serial Case for Introductory Financial Accounting," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(1), pages 95-113, February.
    2. Prerana Agrawal & Jacqueline Birt & Lyndie Bayne & Nikki Schonfeldt, 2022. "The use of case studies in developing students’ understanding of the concept ‘material misstatement’," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(S1), pages 1307-1338, April.
    3. Fordham, David R., 2012. "Applying a real-world fraud to multiple learning objectives: Considerations and an example from the systems course," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 325-354.
    4. Gary Spraakman & Beverley Jackling, 2014. "A Conceptual Framework for Learning Management Accounting," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 61-81, March.
    5. Kate Wynn-Williams & Nicola Beatson & Cameron Anderson, 2016. "The impact of unstructured case studies on surface learners: a study of second-year accounting students," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(3), pages 272-286, June.
    6. Tan, Hwee Cheng, 2019. "Using a structured collaborative learning approach in a case-based management accounting course," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    7. Richard Slack & Jan Loughran & Kirsty Abrahams, 2014. "Corporate Associate Partnerships: Practitioners' Involvement in the Delivery of an Auditing Course Based on a Case-Study: A Teaching Resource," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 262-276, June.
    8. Apostolou, Barbara & Dorminey, Jack W. & Hassell, John M. & Watson, Stephanie F., 2013. "Accounting education literature review (2010–2012)," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 107-161.
    9. Trejo-Pech, Carlos J. O. & White, Susan, 2017. "Uso de estudos de caso em cursos de graduação em Administração de Empresas," RAE - Revista de Administração de Empresas, FGV-EAESP Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo (Brazil), vol. 57(4), August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fordham, David R., 2012. "Applying a real-world fraud to multiple learning objectives: Considerations and an example from the systems course," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 325-354.
    2. Kate Wynn-Williams & Nicola Beatson & Cameron Anderson, 2016. "The impact of unstructured case studies on surface learners: a study of second-year accounting students," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(3), pages 272-286, June.
    3. Tan, Hwee Cheng, 2019. "Using a structured collaborative learning approach in a case-based management accounting course," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    4. Paisey, Catriona & Paisey, Nicholas J., 2010. "Developing skills via work placements in accounting: Student and employer views," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 89-108.
    5. Gary Spraakman & Beverley Jackling, 2014. "A Conceptual Framework for Learning Management Accounting," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 61-81, March.
    6. John Cullen & Sue Richardson & Rona O'Brien, 2004. "Exploring the teaching potential of empirically-based case studies," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 251-266.
    7. Sidney Weil & Peter Oyelere & Elizabeth Rainsbury, 2004. "The usefulness of case studies in developing core competencies in a professional accounting programme: a New Zealand study," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 139-169.
    8. Pavel Strach & Irena Stejskalova, 2015. "New Didactic Approaches in Accounting: Moving Beyond the Calculation Exercise," Proceedings of Business and Management Conferences 2304424, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    9. Maria Cadiz Dyball & Anna Reid & Philip Ross & Herbert Schoch, 2010. "Compulsory group work – accounting students' conceptions and suggestions," Asian Review of Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 18(2), pages 92-105, July.
    10. Ballantine, Joan A. & Duff, Angus & McCourt Larres, Patricia, 2008. "Accounting and business students’ approaches to learning: A longitudinal study," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 188-201.
    11. Catriona Paisey & Nicholas Paisey, 2003. "Developing research awareness in students: an action research project explored," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(3), pages 283-302.
    12. Joan Ballantine & Patricia McCourt Larres, 2004. "A critical analysis of students' perceptions of the usefulness of the case study method in an advanced management accounting module: the impact of relevant work experience," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 171-189.
    13. Ralph Adler & Rosalind Whiting & Kate Wynn-Williams, 2008. "On Approaches to Learning versus Learning Styles: A Reply to Duff et al.'s Comment," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(2), pages 145-149.
    14. Stuart McChlery & Catriona Paisey, 2003. "Quality in professional accounting education provision in the UK - the CIMA experience," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(2), pages 197-225.
    15. Jose Luis Arquero Montano & Sergio Manuel Jimenez Cardoso & John Joyce, 2004. "Skills development, motivation and learning in financial statement analysis: an evaluation of alternative types of case studies," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 191-212.
    16. Sonia Magdziarz & Kim Watty & Kaye Hilliar & Sophia Ji & Melissa Simpson, 2006. "Developing a scholarly approach to the evaluation of assessment practices," Asian Review of Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 14(1), pages 24-36, July.
    17. Robyn Cameron & Pat Clark & Laura De Zwaan & Diane English & Dawne Lamminmaki & Conor O'Leary & Kirsty Rae & John Sands, 2015. "The Importance of Understanding Student Learning Styles in Accounting Degree Programs," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 25(3), pages 218-231, September.
    18. Belete J. Bobe & Barry J. Cooper, 2020. "Accounting students’ perceptions of effective teaching and approaches to learning: impact on overall student satisfaction," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(3), pages 2099-2143, September.
    19. Paul M. Goldwater & Timothy J. Fogarty, 2007. "Protecting the Solution: A 'High-Tech.' Method to Guarantee Individual Effort in Accounting Classes," Accounting Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(2), pages 129-143.
    20. Gregory Boland & Satoshi Sugahara & Evelien Opdecam & Patricia Everaert, 2011. "The impact of cultural factors on students’ learning style preferences," Asian Review of Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 19(3), pages 243-265, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:taf:accted:v:19:y:2010:i:6:p:555-567. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Longhurst (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.tandfonline.com/RAED20 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.