Esetekstide

Esetekstide is a genre of qualitative documentation and analysis that centers on detailed case texts drawn from real-world settings. It combines narrative descriptions of individual cases with analytic commentary to illuminate patterns, practices, and outcomes while preserving the contextual nuance that shapes them.

A typical Esetekstide presents multiple case texts followed by cross-case analysis. Each case text includes background, context, and events, paired with methodological notes. Texts are usually sourced from interviews, documents, and field notes, and they are anonymized to protect participants. Reflexivity is encouraged, and ethical review is standard.

Origin and use. The term is used in social sciences and professional fields such as education, social work, and healthcare, especially within Nordic and Baltic academic communities. Esetekstide aims to connect theory and practice by providing rich, context-specific insights, rather than broad generalizations.

Assessment and limitations. Critics argue that the approach can overemphasize individual cases at the expense of generalizability and may introduce selection and interpretive biases. Proponents counter that the depth and contextuality of case texts offer valuable understanding of complex phenomena and can improve transfer to practice.

Related concepts include case study research, narrative inquiry, and qualitative methods.