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How To Write Effective Case Study: By, Amir Alagab A.Gadir Icrc - Sudan Delegation

This document provides guidance on how to write an effective case study using the problem-oriented method. There are typically eight sections: 1) an executive summary that outlines the purpose, research area, issues and findings without details; 2) background on the client; 3) the origins of the client's needs or problems; 4) the approach taken to address the needs or solve problems; 5) the results of the work; 6) the benefits to the client; 7) findings that identify and analyze problems supported by facts and theory; and 8) recommendations that justify a solution to solve major problems. The case study should tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end that follows the client's chronological experience.

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76 views4 pages

How To Write Effective Case Study: By, Amir Alagab A.Gadir Icrc - Sudan Delegation

This document provides guidance on how to write an effective case study using the problem-oriented method. There are typically eight sections: 1) an executive summary that outlines the purpose, research area, issues and findings without details; 2) background on the client; 3) the origins of the client's needs or problems; 4) the approach taken to address the needs or solve problems; 5) the results of the work; 6) the benefits to the client; 7) findings that identify and analyze problems supported by facts and theory; and 8) recommendations that justify a solution to solve major problems. The case study should tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end that follows the client's chronological experience.

Uploaded by

Rene Cantor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

How to Write Effective

Case Study

By, Amir Alagab A.Gadir


ICRC – Sudan Delegation
How to write effective case studies
There are two different approaches to case studies:

This time we will focuse on Type 2:


The Problem-Oriented Method

A successful case study analyses a real life situation where existing problems need to be solved.
It should :

Relate the theory to a practical situation; for example, apply the ideas and
knowledge discussed in the to the practical situation at hand in the case study.

 Identify the problems.

 Select the major problems in the case.

 Suggest solutions to these major problems.

 Recommend the best solution to be implemented.

 Detail how this solution should be implemented.

NB: The Case is the “real life” situation


The Case Study is the analysis of this situation

How to Write the Case Study


There are usually eight sections in a case study.
Synopsis/Executive Summary :
 Outline the purpose of the case study
 Describe the field of research – this is usually an overview of the company
 Outline the issues and findings of the case study without the specific details
 Identify the theory that will be used.
 Here, the reader should be able to get a clear picture of the essential contents of the
study.
 Note any assumptions made (you may not have all the information you’d like so
some assumptions may be necessary eg: “It has been assumed that…”,
“Assuming that it takes half an hour to read one document…”)

Case study structure


The best case studies tell a story with a distinct beginning, middle and end. The beginning is the
client’s need, the middle is what you did for them, and the end is how they benefited. In my view,
every case study should follow this chronological approach, using some or all of the following
sections in the order listed (though not necessarily with these headings):
Background: some general information about the client
Origins: how they found or approached you
Requirement: the client’s needs, situation or problems at the time
Approach: what you did that addressed their need, or solved their problems
Results: the outcomes of your work, at a practical level
Benefits: how the client benefited as a result of your work.
Findings:
 Identify the problems found in the case. Each analysis of a problem should be supported
by facts given in the case together with the relevant theory and course concepts. Here, it
is important to search for the underlying problems for example: cross-cultural conflict
may be only a symptom of the underlying problem of inadequate policies and practices
within the company.
 This section is often divided into sub-sections, one for each problem.
Discussion:
 Summarise the major problem/s
 Identify alternative solutions to this/these major problem/s (there is likely to be more than
one solution per problem)
 Briefly outline each alternative solution and then evaluate it in terms of its advantages
and disadvantages
 No need to refer to theory.
Conclusion:
Sum up the main points from the findings and discussion.
Recommendations:
 Choose which of the alternative solutions should be adopted.
 Briefly justify your choice explaining how it will solve the major problem/s.
 This should be written in a forceful style as this section is intended to be persuasive.
 Here integration of theory and practical is appropriate.
Implementation:
 Explain what should be done, by whom and by when
 If appropriate include a rough estimate of costs (both financial and time).
References :
 Make sure all references are sited correctly
Appendices (if any):
 Note any original data that relates to the study but which would have interrupted the flow
of the main body.

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