how to write a case study

how to write a case study

How to Write a Case Study

1. Introduction

A case study is a document that focuses on a business problem and its solutions. It can also be an effective strategy to bring about an end to a problem. The word “case” means “an instance of” and the event which instances the problems the case study is designed to analyze. The case study is an analysis and it is based on systematic and logical evidence. A case study is a method to gain experience, training, analysis, and a better understanding of a situation. It can also be used to teach a specific skill set. This is why, when it is in the professional or academic realm, the case study can produce an extremely powerful learning tool. A case study synthesizes and evaluates information in a logical form. It can be used to establish cause and effect, so it must be written in a casual, compelling, and easy-to-understand form. Preparing a case study is no simple task. It is not just a stream of consciousness writing or straightforward “reporting” on facts. It is a method of analysis, thinking, and theory testing. The case study writer must pay attention to and set an agenda of fact-finding about the case. He or she begins with an intent to prove a hypothesis. This is because a case study is trying to prove cause and effect, and it must do so with an in-depth analysis. Writing a case study is as much an art as it is a science. This article will help to provide a methodical approach to achieving an excellent case study.

2. Identifying the Problem

Identifying the problem is the vital first step. A frequently made mistake is rushing to find a solution before understanding the problem. This can also be a problem, therefore ensure that the problem is clearly defined. Typically, it is one or two sentences. It will have taken some time to identify, as it shouldn’t be obvious. If it is easy to identify, then the chances are you have chosen something too simple. The other component to the problem’s definition is its scope. To resolve the problem may take some little time, and therefore it is essential to create a project plan. With ownership of the project being well defined, its expected duration and the desired outcome. It is of no consequence whether the problem is rare, common, chronic, or acute; simply by clearly defining it, you have taken the first step toward a significant improvement. Brainstorm. Try to get all the possible solutions down on paper. At this point, the choice of what is the best case study format will be under consideration. You may want to start with the method and then the result, or you may want to start with the result and then explain the method. Another way is to pick the initial ideas that you feel are the most effective that also have the possibility to be explainable through a case study. With the aforementioned still written down, leave it a day or so and then approach it again to ensure that the best method is identified.

3. Research and Data Collection

The case may be an individual person, an event, a group, or an institution. The purpose of the research is to gather data from the individual and explore that data for factors that may have caused the event. It is the job of the researcher to gather evidence from the data provided by the case, to begin to isolate causes that may have contributed to the event, or in the case of a negative event, prevented the event from happening. It is important to follow a specific methodology when writing a case study as it provides direction on the research process. If the methodology is changed part way through, it is a case of a new direction and should be documented.

Case studies can be extremely helpful in informing new research on certain research topics, identifying promising research methods, and pointing to areas or variables that are worthy of further investigation. They are in-depth studies of an individual, group, or event. Case studies involve an in-depth longitudinal examination of a single instance or event: a case. Typically, data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods, such as observations, interviews, or reports.

4. Analysis and Findings

The next step is really understanding what the issues are. Categorizing the findings can really help with this, perhaps by looking at barriers that disable participation, how difficulty and dissatisfaction are being caused and the effects it is having. Mapping all of these things creating a ‘map of the problems’ if you will, can also make it much easier to relay the information from the findings to the results phase of the case study. Take the time here in this process. This is a main crux of the case study and once problems are properly understood, the findings are coming much closer to an end. The most important thing here is making sure the analysis of the findings is coming from the data that was obtained, try and refrain from making more assumptions.

You should describe the problems and provide the background. Be sure to elaborate on the findings of your interview. For example, if the person is unsure of their disability, has difficulty in knowing what help is available to them, is not satisfied with the help and advice they’ve been given, does not know their rights and is not granted any assessment of their needs; each statement would need to be discussed with an example and related back to the person’s difficulty in their participation. This information should be obtained through your interview and be related to the relevant literature on the topic. It is evident here that data was collected through the interview rather than making assumptions on the person’s rather general comments about disability, so it is also important to note the difference between findings based on the data that was collected compared to assumptions made on general comments from the informant.

5. Conclusion and Recommendations

The purpose of your conclusion is to bring your case study to its natural conclusion, and you need to be able to summarise it in a way that the reader can understand. This means the conclusion should outline what the problem was, how it was investigated, what was discovered and what it all means. This should be a brief section, so there is no need to rehash the entire case study. After the conclusion you should offer your recommendations. Aim for around five recommendations or less; a large list can be overwhelming. Just as with the case study, your recommendations need to be concrete and viable. The reader should be able to clearly see how the recommendations will remedy the problem. This means they need to be linked to the problem in the case study as well as being able to be implemented. You may also like to offer an alternative solution, and then compare this with the original set of recommendations. Always make this section a separate section from the conclusion. Step 14 – Compile the reference list In your case study have you referred to other works? Have you used direct quotes? If so, you need to compile a reference list and quote all of your sources. Be diligent in doing this and take time over it, as it is crucial to avoid plagiarism. Step 15 – Briefly read over and edit your case study Finally, read over your completed case study very carefully in order to weed out any spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Do not rely solely on spell check software; as this can miss many errors. Read over it a couple of times and if necessary, get someone else to read over it. Once you are sure that it is error-free you can submit it. Always keep a copy for yourself. This may sound like an unusual step, but it is important for future case study assignments.