1. Background

a) Identify previous research on the topic  (Activity E4)

b) define the main research question being addressed by this study  (Activity E4)

c) identify any additional research questions that will be addressed  (Activity E4)

2. Design

a) identify whether single-case or multiple-case and embedded or holistic designs will be used, and show the logical links between these and the research questions (Activity E4)

b) describe the object of study (e.g. a new testing procedure; a new feature in a browser (Activity E4)

c) describe the Usability test that will be used [Barnaoun, 2011] (Activity P5)

d) identify any propositions or sub-questions derived from each research question and the measures to be used to investigate the propositions (Activity E4)

3. Case Selection

a) Criteria for case selection  (Activity E4)

4. Case Study Procedures and Roles

a) Field procedures  (Activity P9)

b) Roles (Profiles) of case study research team members (Activity P1)

5. Data Collection

a) identify the data to be collected (Activity P3)

b) define a data collection plan (Activity P7)

c) define how the data will be stored (Activity P10)

6. Analysis

a) Identify the criteria for interpreting case study findings (Activity P4)

b) Linking between data and research questions [Wohkin] - identify which data elements are used to address which research question/sub question/proposition and how the data elements will be combined to answer the question (Activity P4)

c) Consider the range of possible outcomes and identify alternative explanations of the outcomes, and identify any information that is needed to distinguish between these Activity P4)

d) The analysis should take place as the case study task progresses (Activity P9)

7. Plan Validity 

a) General: check plan against Höst and Runeson’s (2007) checklist items for the design and the data collection plan (Activity E4)

b) Construct validity - show that the correct operational measures are planned for the concepts being studied. Tactics for ensuring this include using multiple sources of evidence, establishing chains of evidence, expert reviews of draft protocols and reports (Activity E4)

c) Internal validity - show a causal relationship between outcomes and intervention/treatment (for explanatory or causal studies only). (Activity P9)

d) External validity – identify the domain to which study finding can be generalized. Tactics include using theory for single-case studies and using multiple-case studies to investigate outcomes in different contexts. (Activity P9)

8. Study Limitations

Specify residual validity issues including potential conflicts of interest (i.e. that are inherent in the problem, rather than arising from the plan). (Activity E4)

9. Reporting

Identify target audience, relationship to larger studies (Yin, 2003) (Activity P11)