Case Study Writing

Pooja Darda
Case Study

Case studies are about real life situations. They involve an in-depth observation of a "case" such as an
event, process or person. Additionally, case study assignments usually ask you to go
further, to analyse the set of circumstances in relation to theory on the topic and possibly make some
suggestions to solve a problem.

For example, in business courses, the task may be to examine a company's marketing strategy,human
resources policy or some other aspect of their business with which they are experiencing
difficulties or which may be undergoing change.
In "people oriented': professions such as teaching, nursing or human services, you may be asked
about learning strategies; a client's health or personal circumstances; or, how their healing or’ self-
efficacy are being assisted.

The first stage of any case study is to observe what is taking place. It is important to be as honest as
you can and not make your observations "fit" the theories you have read about. These observations
are your data and require careful consideration within the confines of the task.

Case studies require you to demonstrate the skills of observation, analysis, problem solving,
together with an understanding of ethics and professionalism. They should be written in formal,
professional language
 The first thing you need to be clear about is what
kind of task you have been set. Are you being
asked to:

• observe a case and explain what happened

What to • analyse the case by reference to theories on the
topic?
include in a • identify major problems and offer solutions?
case study
Embedding the case study in theory

• Relate the case you have been given to what you have already learned in your coursework.
Depending on the discipline in which you are studying, you may find that you are dealing with
one of the following:
• Individual Theories — personality, behaviour, interaction.
• Social Theories — groups, subcultures, social change in various contexts
• Organisational Theories — structures, procedures, performance in government or business
bearing in mind relevant statutory or industry legislation
Structuring the case study

• Once you have decided the scope of the assignment you are
dealing with, you will need to work
out a structure within which to present your answer clearly.
This might include:
• background to the case — the individual or the organisation
you are studying and what has happened that is of interest
or concern.
• your observations: not only what is going on but why, how,
when and who is affected
• what the experts have to say about this topic. Do your
observations align with theories on this topic or not?
Explore the similarities and differences.
• what are your conclusions?
• do you have recommendations? What are the reasons for
your recommendations?
• 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 coursework to the practical situation at hand
in the case study
1. Identify the problems. 2. Select the major problems in the case. 3.
Suggest solutions to these major problems. 4. Recommend the best
solution to be implemented. 5. Detail how this solution should be
implemented.
There are usually eight sections in a case study:

• 1. Synopsis/Executive Summary
• • Outline the purpose of the case study.
• • Describe the field of research.
• • Outline the issues and findings of the case study without the specific
details.
• • Identify the theory that will be used.
• • Note any assumptions made (you may not have all the information
you'd like so some assumptions may be necessary e.g.: "It has been
assumed that…", "Assuming that it takes half an hour to read one
document…").
2. Findings

• Identify the problems found in the case by: - analysing the problem,
supporting your findings with facts given in the case, the relevant theory
and course concepts. - searching for the underlying problems

• This section is often divided into sub-sections.

3. Discussion

• • Summaries the major problem/s.

• • Identify alternative solutions to this/these major problem/s.
• • Briefly outline each alternative solution and evaluate its advantages
and disadvantages.
• • There is no need to refer to theory or coursework here
 4. Conclusion
Sum up the main points from the findings
and discussion.
5. 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 coursework is appropriate.
6. Implementation

• Explain what should be done, by whom and by when.

• • If appropriate include a rough estimate of costs (both financial and
time).
 7. References
• Make sure all references are cited correctly.
8. • Attach any original data that relates to the
Appendices study but which would have interrupted the
flow of the main body.
(if any)
What to include in your teaching note

1. Synopsis of the case

Provide a brief description of what the case is about, and the context in which it is set.
2. Target group
Indicate the target learning group, for example, undergraduates, postgraduates, executive.
3. Learning objectives and key issues
Set out the learning objectives, and identify the key issues in the case that will help achieve them.
4. Teaching strategy
Describe how the case may be used in class. For example, suggest trigger questions to open the case discussion; offer ideas for group work; suggest how learning can be
consolidated at the end of the case session, and so on. This section will generally reflect your own teaching style.
5. Questions for discussion
Include a list of questions designed to promote discussion of the key issues within the case.
6. Analysis of data
If the case contains quantitative data for analysis it can be helpful if the results of essential ‘number crunching’ are provided in the teaching note. Teachers can use this to check
their own calculations.
7. Background reading
Provide references to relevant supplementary material on the case or related issues. You may also provide information on ‘what happened next’, something students are usually
keen to know.
8. Experience of using the case
Include feedback on how the case has worked in different classes, and the issues on which students have tended to focus. This can be useful for other teachers preparing to teach
your case.
9. Multimedia
Include links to video and audio clips that are relevant to the case.
 Case synopsis

Provide a brief summary of 150-200 words describing the case setting and key issues. Include:

Name of the organisation

Industry

Country

Time span of the case study

Details of the protagonist

The challenge facing the protagonist

Sub-field of academia the case is designed to teach e.g. market segmentation in the telecommunications sector
Target Consider:
Possible courses
where the case can
audience be used

Specific pre-
Level of difficulty
requisites

If there are multiple

target audiences,
discuss different
teaching strategies.
 • Set a minimum of one objective
for a short case study and three or
Learning four for a longer case.
• Your objectives should be specific
objectives and you should make it clear what
students can expect to learn from
reading the case and how they are
relevant to courses you are
suggesting the case be taught in.
 • Give instructors a detailed plan of how you would teach the case in
90 minutes. Include:
• Suggested class time, broken down by topic.

Teaching • Suggested student assignment.

• Brief description of the opening 10-15 minutes.

plan and • Challenging discussion questions.

• Provide three to five questions aligned to the learning
objectives that students should prepare before class.

objectives • Consider a combination of closed, open-ended and even

controversial questions to create discussion.
• Sample answers. A case may not have a single correct answer so
highlight the diversity of opinions and approaches by providing real
sample answers – outstanding, marginal and even incorrect ones.
• Brief description of the closing 10-15 minutes. Reinforce the
learning objectives and reveal what actually happened, if applicable.
Supporting material

• Provide any information or material that support

your case, such as worksheets, videos, reading
list or reference materials.