A case study is an in-depth study of one person, group, or event. In a case study, nearly every aspect of the subject's life and history is analyzed to seek patterns and causes of behavior. Case studies can be used in a variety of fields including psychology, medicine, education, anthropology, political science, and social work.
What Is a Case Study? A case study is an in-depth study of one person, group, or event. In a case study, nearly every aspect of the subject's life and history is analyzed to seek patterns and causes of behavior.
The first way is as an adjunct to normal lectures. A lecture might discuss a certain facet of business, and the case study can be used to backup the information learned in the lecture. This type of teaching doesn't require large case studies, and can get by using excerpts and other extractions.
This section of a case study should also include information about the treatment goals, process, and outcomes. When you are writing a case study, you should also include a section where you discuss the case study itself, including the strengths and limitiations of the study.
How to write a good case studyRecognise what the aim of a case study is so you know what you're trying to achieve with what you write.Understand the components that make up a strong case study so you know what element you need to include and why.More items...
A case study is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research.
You may also study: How To Write a Case Study The sections that are included in the case study are executive summary, introduction, analysis, alternatives and decision criteria, recommendations and implementation plan, conclusions and references, citing sources.
Evaluate each course of action. Evaluate each alternative using the facts and issues you identified earlier, given the conditions and information available. Identify the costs and benefits of each alternative. Ask yourself "what would be the likely outcome of this course of action?
The 4 Essential Elements of a Great Case StudyShowcase the Problems You Answered. The customer has come to you with a problem or need for you to solve and you knocked it out of the water! ... Tell The Story of Your Customers' Experience.
Here are some unique and good example topics that you can choose from:Diversity for the benefit of business.Eating disorders.Motivation and positive environments.Balancing school and life.Responsibilities in the workplace.Effective communication.Dealing with family problems and pressure.Leadership and respect.More items...
The Elements of a Great Case Study(1) A time- and issue-bounded dilemma.(2) Explanations of issues and concepts.(3) A story, with vivid characters and moments.(4) Data and other information.(5) Scenarios that lead in different directions.
Follow these rules for the draft: Your draft should contain at least 4 sections: an introduction; a body where you should include background information, an explanation of why you decided to do this case study, and a presentation of your main findings; a conclusion where you present data; and references.
The components of a case study presentation will likely also vary depending on the preferences of your institution and instructor; however, most case study presentations will likely include an oral as well as a visual (e.g., PowerPoint) summary of the 10 major sections and components.
Courses of action address the what, who, when, where, why, how for each threat, hazard, and function....Identify Courses of ActionDepict the scenario. ... Determine the amount of time available to respond. ... Identify decision points. ... Develop courses of action.
(1) The term “alternative courses of action” means all alternatives and thus is not limited to original project objectives and agency jurisdiction.
Determining Alternative Courses Determining alternative courses is the third step in the planning process. The planner should study all the alternatives, consider the strong and weak points of them and finally select the most promising ones.
A case study is a document that proposes, examines and tries to solve a problem and is often used as evidence to support an idea or product. A thorough and well-constructed case study uses metrics, such as key performance indicators, to show growth and success that support the idea that a business or salesperson is trying to convey.
A case study is an in-depth study of one person, group, or event. In a case study, nearly every aspect of the subject's life and history is analyzed to seek patterns and causes of behavior. Case studies can be used in a variety of fields including psychology, medicine, education, anthropology, political science, and social work.
There are a few different types of case studies that psychologists and other researchers might utilize: Collective case studies: These involve studying a group of individuals. Researchers might study a group of people in a certain setting or look at an entire community of people.
Genie: Genie was a young girl subjected to horrific abuse and isolation. The case study of Genie allowed researchers to study whether language could be taught even after critical periods for language development had been missed. Her case also served as an example of how scientific research may interfere with treatment and lead to further abuse of vulnerable individuals.
Six major sources that have been identified by researchers are: Archival records : Census records, survey records, and name lists are examples of archival records .
Researchers must consider these pros and cons before deciding if this type of study is appropriate for their needs. One of the greatest advantages of a case study is that it allows researchers to investigate things that are often difficult to impossible to replicate in a lab. Some other benefits of a case study: 1.
Exploratory case studies: These are sometimes used as a prelude to further, more in-depth research. This allows researchers to gather more information before developing their research questions and hypotheses.
Allows researchers to develop hypotheses that can be explored in experimental research. On the negative side, a case study: Cannot necessarily be generalized to the larger population.
Sociological case studies have helped us identify problems in our culture, and have helped define possible solutions.
In classrooms that use the case method, students do about 90% of the talking. The professors only speak in order to explain fundamentals or to steer the conversation. Class participation is essential, and it can amount to up to 50% of a student's grade.
A decision-forcing case doesn't provide an outcome, and therefore forces the students to determine an outcome on their own. Often these cases have an epilogue, which completes the story.
Narrative case studies use a comprehensive history of a problem, along with the several parts of the typical case study, to teach using the case method. With this method students try to find better solutions to problems, and find ways to analyze why their chosen solution is best.
Professors have several ways to use case studies in the classroom. The first way is as an adjunct to normal lectures. A lecture might discuss a certain facet of business, and the case study can be used to backup the information learned in the lecture.
The students can learn from the original participants in the case, whether it is business people, doctors, or other professionals . The students are able to take over a case, and dissect key information in order to find solutions to the problems. This allows students to be able to: 1. Determine pertinent information. 2.
Many students learn better using real-life examples, and case studies can be an effective way to learn in the classroom. Case studies have a history of being used in business schools, law schools, medical schools, and other master programs.
Case studies are research methodologies. They examine subjects, projects, or organizations to tell a story.
The length of studies depends on the industry. It also depends on the story you’re telling. Most case studies should be at least 500-1500 words long. But you can increase the length if you have more details to share.
Hubspot created a case study on a customer that successfully scaled its business. The report outlines the various Hubspot tools used to achieve these results.
In the field of psychology, case studies focus on a particular subject. Psychology case histories also examine human behaviors.
A business or marketing case study aims at showcasing a successful partnership. This can be between a brand and a client. Or the case study can examine a brand’s project.
There are six common types of case reports. Depending on your industry, you might use one of these types.
A case analysis is a deep dive into a subject. To facilitate this case studies are built on interviews and observations. The below example would have been created after numerous interviews.
Case Study Definition. A case study critically assesses an event, a place, personality, or situation to draw a conclusion. It uses all background information to identify the key problems and recommend further action. However, you must polish your analytical skills to master case study analysis.
A case study in psychology refers to the use of a descriptive research approach for an in-depth analysis of a subject such as a person, group, or organization. Below we have provided a great example for you to learn how to write a case study in psychology.
After making a basic case study analysis, there are some specific steps that you need to follow for writing a perfect case study . These are given below:
A case study research design usually involves qualitative research methods, but in some cases, qualitative research is also used.
Critical thinking and analytical skills matter the most in case studies. They differentiate ordinary paper from outstanding one.
In particular, a business case study focuses on telling a story of how your product or service helped people in achieving their short or long term goals. You can also read this example and understand the essential elements of writing a great case study.
The only thing that matters, in the end, is the score. Figure out the required case study format and strictly adhere to it.
Often, executives are surprised to discover that the objective of the case study is not to reach consensus, but to understand how different people use the same information to arrive at diverse conclusions. When you begin to understand the context, you can appreciate the reasons why those decisions were made.
Simply put, the case method is a discussion of real-life situations that business executives have faced. On average, you'll attend three to four different classes a day, for a total of about six hours of class time (schedules vary). To prepare, you’ll work through problems with your peers.
To get the most out of each case, it's important to read and reflect, and then meet with your discussion group to share your insights. You and your peers will explore the underlying issues, compare alternatives, and suggest various ways of resolving the problem.
Pioneered by HBS faculty, the case method puts you in the role of the chief decision maker as you explore the challenges facing leading companies across the globe. Learning to think fast on your feet with limited information sharpens your analytical skills and empowers you to make critical decisions in real time.
Preparation Guidelines. Read the professor's assignment or discussion questions. The assignment and discussion questions help you focus on the key aspects of the case.
To prepare, you’ll work through problems with your peers. As you review each case, you'll put yourself in the shoes of the key decision maker, analyze the situation, and decide what you would do to address the challenges .
Being exposed to so many different approaches to a given situation will put you in a better position to enhance your management style.
What is a case study? A case study is a research approach that is used to generate an in-depth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context. It is an established research design that is used extensively in a wide variety of disciplines, particularly in the social sciences.
The case study approach allows in-depth, multi-faceted explorations of complex issues in their real-life settings. The value of the case study approach is well recognised in the fields of business, law and policy, but somewhat less so in health services research. Based on our experiences of conducting several health-related case studies, we reflect on the different types of case study design, the specific research questions this approach can help answer, the data sources that tend to be used, and the particular advantages and disadvantages of employing this methodological approach. The paper concludes with key pointers to aid those designing and appraising proposals for conducting case study research, and a checklist to help readers assess the quality of case study reports.
He has helpfully characterised three main types of case study: intrinsic, instrumental and collective [8]. An intrinsic case study is typically undertaken to learn about a unique phenomenon.
The case study approach is particularly useful to employ when there is a need to obtain an in-depth appreciation of an issue, event or phenomenon of interest, in its natural real-life context. Our aim in writing this piece is to provide insights into when to consider employing this approach and an overview of key methodological considerations in relation to the design, planning, analysis, interpretation and reporting of case studies.
Phase 1: Academic context. Documentary evidence (including undergraduate curricula, handbooks and module outlines), complemented with a range of views (from course leads, tutors and students) and observations in a range of academic settings. Phase 2a: Organisational context.
A case study is a document that focuses on a business problem and solutions. In marketing, this is often used to tell a story about a customer journey, interactions and how a product or service solves a specific issue. Case studies can be used in all levels of business, however, and all industries, not limited to marketing.
You can use these steps to write a case study: 1 Prepare for the case. 2 Define your angle. 3 Craft a narrative. 4 Uncover solutions. 5 Select a relatable solution. 6 Include these sections.
To select the best solution, you must know who you are selecting it for. Understanding who will be reading the case study is critical to formatting it correctly. Make relatable content. Write about a scenario and person who is relatable to your average client.
A case study is a document that focuses on a business problem and solutions. In marketing, this is often used to tell a story about a customer journey, interactions and how a product or service solves a specific issue. Case studies can be used in all levels of business, however, and all industries, not limited to marketing.
Evaluation of case: In the evaluation of the case section, outline important highlights of the case study, evaluate the highlighted segments based on what works and what doesn't and state what doesn't work and why.
In marketing, case studies are a very effective way to communicate solutions to the public or individuals with a private interest in a product or service. Research suggests they are among the most effective ways to communicate the value of engaging with a company. Properly designed case studies have a positive impact on business.
Case studies are often found in industries like healthcare and psychology to help doctors and mental health professionals provide better care . However, they can also be used in business and marketing to increase organizational effectiveness and strategic marketing across many industries. In this article, we explain how to write a case study so you ...
Important advantages are that a case study researcher can see a relationship between phenomena, context, and people and explore deep causes of those phenomena. An important disadvantage is that case study research is susceptible to bias when the researcher's personal opinions and preferences interfere with the collection and analysis of data.
Next, data can be collected through a variety of means, including interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, documents, direct observation, and participant observation. Typically, data is collected through multiple means. In the analysis step, data is triangulated or compared with each other, to identify larger patterns that reappear across multiple types of data. For example, the researcher would look for similar patterns appearing in interview responses with Uber drivers and in observations of how Uber drivers do their work. Once the data has been analyzed, the research findings can be written and shared.
Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams.
The purpose of a case study is to answer a research question by conducting an in-depth investigation of a contemporary, real-life phenomenon in its context. A cases study answers a research question by using detailed description rather than statistics.
Case study research is susceptible to bias when the researcher's personal opinions and preferences interfere with the collection and analysis of data. For example, the researcher may think people of a certain age group will not provide quality information and may not include them when conducting interviews. Alternatively, when making observations or analyzing documents, the researcher might only look for evidence that supports their hypothesis, rather than a wide variety of data.
To develop this theory, the leader gets approval to conduct research at a nearby community college. The leader focuses on the research question ''Why do students use or not use student tutoring services?'' The leader interviews students who have used the tutoring center and students who have not. The leader also gets approval to send a survey to all students. The leader compares the interview data and the survey data to look for recurring patterns across both forms of data to identify the main reasons why students use or do not use the tutoring center. After collecting and analyzing this data, the leader can determine whether the original theory was correct.
To conduct case study research, first, articulate your research question. Then select a case, such as a group of people or an organization. After addressing the ethical requirements of conducting human research, collect data through tools like interviews, surveys, observations, and gathering documents. Then analyze the data and write up your research findings.
While the guidelines and template contain much detail, your finished case study should be only 500 to 1,500 words in length. Therefore, you will need to write efficiently and avoid unnecessarily flowery language.
Case studies also provide valuable teaching material, demonstrating both classical and unusual presentations which may confront the practitioner. Quite obviously, since the overwhelming majority of clinical interactions occur in the field, not in teaching or research facilities, it falls to the field practitioner to record and pass on their experiences. However, field practitioners generally are not well-practised in writing for publication, and so may hesitate to embark on the task of carrying a case study to publication. These guidelines are intended to assist the relatively novice writer – practitioner or student – in efficiently navigating the relatively easy course to publication of a quality case study. Guidelines are not intended to be proscriptive, and so throughout this document we advise what authors “may” or “should” do, rather than what they “must” do. Authors may decide that the particular circumstances of their case study justify digression from our recommendations.
Remember that for a case study, we would not expect to have more than one or two authors. In order to be listed as an author, a person must have an intellectual stake in the writing – at the very least they must be able to explain and even defend the article. Someone who has only provided technical assistance, as valuable as that may be, may be acknowledged at the end of the article, but would not be listed as an author. Contact information – either home or institutional – should be provided for each author along with the authors’ academic qualifications. If there is more than one author, one author must be identified as the corresponding author – the person whom people should contact if they have questions or comments about the study.
Only use references that you have read and understood, and actually used to support the case study. Do not use more than approximately 15 references without some clear justification. Try to avoid using textbooks as references, since it is assumed that most readers would already have this information. Also, do not refer to personal communication, since readers have no way of checking this information.
The next step is to describe the results of our clinical examination. Again, we should write in an efficient narrative style, restricting ourselves to the relevant information. It is not necessary to include every detail in our clinical notes.
Case presentation: Several sentences describe the history and results of any examinations performed. The working diagnosis and management of the case are described.
In addition, patient consent to publish the case report is also required.
Case studies are good for describing, comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a research problem.
Once you have developed your problem statement and research questions, you should be ready to choose the specific case that you want to focus on. A good case study should have the potential to: 1 Provide new or unexpected insights into the subject 2 Challenge or complicate existing assumptions and theories 3 Propose practical courses of action to resolve a problem 4 Open up new directions for future research
For a case study of a wind farm development in a rural area, you could collect quantitative data on employment rates and business revenue, collect qualitative data on local people’s perceptions and experiences, and analyze local and national media coverage of the development.
A good case study should have the potential to: Unlike quantitative or experimental research, a strong case study does not require a random or representative sample. In fact, case studies often deliberately focus on unusual, neglected, or outlying cases which may shed new light on the research problem.
Case studies tend to focus on qualitative data using methods such as interviews, observations, and analysis of primary and secondary sources (e.g. newspaper articles, photographs, official records).
Case studies are often a good choice in a thesis or dissertation. They keep your project focused and manageable when you don’t have the time or resources to do large-scale research.
The aim is to gain as thorough an understanding as possible of the case and its context.