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Author Guidelines for Case Studies

About Case Studies

Case studies can be experience reports or empirical studies that provide practical insights for
integrating research results in the contexts of professional communication (although professional
communication is an interdisciplinary field and readers have eclectic interests, the one thing that
connects readers of this journal is their interest in professional communication).

1. Experience reports describe a problem, the practitioner’s approach to solving the

problem, and the effects of the applied solution(s). Cases provide enough detail about the
challenges, failures, resources used, and the impact of the project so that other
practitioners can determine whether they can implement the idea(s) themselves.
2. Empirical studies examine a problem or situation and explicate for readers what sense
might be made of that problem or situation. They apply qualitative and/or quantitative
research methods to yield transferable results meaningful beyond the particular case.
They discuss what the results mean in the context of larger issues in the field of
professional communication.

Please limit the word count to no more than 7500 words, excluding references.

Guidelines for Case Studies

Formatting Follow the IEEE style for formatting references, which differs from the
References APA and MLA styles that are more widely used among professional
communicators. For instructions on formatting references, see TPC
Citation Style.
Formatting Note specific guidelines regarding:
Text • File formats
• Formatting of text (margins, spacing, type face)
• Formatting of tables, charts, figures, and illustrations
See Guidelines for Formatting Manuscripts for details.

Please use the titles below as your major section headings, and address the issues below in the
corresponding section.
Abstract Structure the abstract (between 200 and 250 words) by subheadings that
address all sections required of case studies below, as well as
implications for practice, research, and/or education.
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Introduction Explain the purpose and type of case study, and its importance to the
field of professional communication. Define terms or concepts that can
help readers understand the case. State the research questions or
questions prompting the case study, and define unfamiliar terms or
concepts. Forecast the main sections of the manuscript.

About the Case Explain the situation, problem, or opportunity that inspired examination
of the case. Address important constraints or challenges that existed (i.e.,
limited budget or resources, tight schedule, regulations, standard
templates used, and other similar types of constraints, etc.).
Describe the object of study in this case (e.g., the applied solution, team
dynamics, technology adoption process). If applicable, describe the
process for developing the applied solution, including its purpose,
audience, key milestones, activities, issues, decisions, reactions or
interactions.
Situating the Case Explain the importance of the current case study in relation to issues,
practices, pedagogies, research, and/or theories in the field and, if
applicable, to other similar cases.
Methods/Approach Explain (1) what data were collected to examine the case, (2) how the
data were collected (i.e., Google Analytics, usability test methods,
performance evaluation methods and criteria, etc.), (3) how the data were
studied and interpreted (i.e., statistical methods, thematic coding, etc.),
and (4) why the author(s) used these methods.

Address the trustworthiness and credibility of the data collected to

examine the case.

Explicitly indicate that an Institutional Review Board or its equivalent

has approved the study’s use of human subjects or that it was exempt.

Results/Discussion Describe the study findings and the extent to which findings address the
original problem or answer the original question(s).
Interpret the findings through pertinent research and related issues,
practices, or cases discussed in the “Situating the Case” section above
and in professional communication in general.
Some examples of supporting data include:
• Quotes from user feedback
• User performance data (such as results from usability tests or
metrics from performance monitoring in the workplace)
• Web metrics
• Results from return on investment (ROI) and other financial
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evaluations (if performed)

Conclusions Discuss implications for practice, research, and education. Address the
limitations that might constrain interpretation and application of the
findings—particularly in other settings—and other concerns and issues
that the case study introduces. Suggest future research or case studies.

Samples of Case Studies Published in the Transactions

T. Batova, “Negotiating multilingual quality in component content-management

environments,” IEEE Trans. Prof. Commun., vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 77-100, 2018.

S. D. Williams, G. Ammetller, I. Rodríguez-Ardura, and X. Li, “Narratives of

international women entrepreneurs: An exploratory case study of identity
negotiation in technology startups,” IEEE Trans. Prof. Commun., vol. 63, no. 1,
pp. 39-51, 2020.

[Note that a subscription is required to view the articles. If you do not already have a
subscription, your library might. Authors may also request sample case studies from the editor.]

Reviewers’ Expectations

To learn about the criteria that reviewers consider when providing feedback on a case
study, consult the rubric for reviewers of case studies.