A Case Study Approach to Secondary Reanalysis of a Quantitative Research Synthesis of Adult Learning Practices Studies
Abstract
A secondary reanalysis of a quantitative research synthesis of four adult learning practices is described where a case study research methodology was used to identify which practices with which characteristics under which conditions were associated with the largest sizes of effects for different adult learner outcomes. Results showed that a case study approach was able to detect patterns of relationships among four adult learning practices (job-embedded learning, authentic learning opportunities, learner reflection, extended professional development supports) and adult learning outcomes that otherwise were not explicitly apparent from a quantitative analysis of the studies in the research synthesis. This was discerned from pattern matching and both literal and theoretical where studies including the adult learning practices had the largest effect sizes and those not including the practices had the smallest effect sizes.
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