The Role of Case Studies in Creativity Research

THE ROLE OF CASE STUDIES IN CREATIVITY RESEARCH Introduction  Creativity research often involves case studies to understand the creativeprocess deeply. This lecture explores various case studies, methodologies, andthe importance of context in creative endeavors. Case Studies in Creativity Research  Numerous case studies have been conducted on creative individuals in variousfields, offering valuable insights into their creative processes.  Some notable studies focus on Bernard, Lavoisier, Krebs, and Nobel laureates inthe biomedical field, highlighting differences in the creative process betweendisciplines.  These studies generally provide background information and then delve into thedetailed structure of the individual creative process. A Passion for Science  "A Passion for Science," a collection edited by Wolpert and Richards (1988),exemplifies maintaining a developmental-process perspective in relatively briefstudies.  This collection demonstrates that it's possible to balance personal and cognitive-creative issues in case studies. A Feeling for the Organism  "A Feeling for the Organism: The Life and Work of Barbara McClintock" by Keller(1983) captures the essence of capturing the feeling of the creative person atwork.  The term "organism" in this context refers to the creative person and their uniquework. N=1 or N=Many?  The term "case study method" typically implies studying one central figure, N=1.This is done for practical reasons and to emphasize the individual's uniqueness.

 Focusing on individuality is a way to celebrate creativity and the creativeindividual's contributions.  The size of N is less important than the case study's ability to maintain a primaryfocus on the creative work and the individual's role. Multiple Case Studies  In some instances, dealing with more than one case simultaneously is essentialfor a comprehensive understanding of the work.  Examples include close collaborations like the Curies, the Wright brothers, andconvergence of independent efforts, such as the work of Feynman, Dyson,Schwinger, and Tomonaga.  Gardner's work (1993) used multiple case studies to represent seven individualswho, while not directly collaborating, collectively shaped the modern era. Case as System: Person and Milieu  Critics have argued that case studies should not neglect the evolving milieu, thecontext in which creativity occurs.  Gruber's approach in "Darwin on Man" (1981e) situates the creative individualwithin various milieux, such as family, school, workplace, and community.  Subtler and transitory institutions, like the European students' Wanderjahr and"invisible colleges" in science, are also considered. Contextual Frames  The idea of contextual frames involves considering societal arrangements withinwhich a creative life unfolds.  The relevance of social class, institutional frameworks, and societal context canvary significantly between different cases.  While understanding context is important, it should not replace the task of deeplyunderstanding the individual creative case.

Conclusion  Case studies in creativity research provide in-depth insights into the creativeprocess of individuals across various fields.  Balancing the focus on the individual and their context is crucial for acomprehensive understanding of creativity.