why do we write case study responses

Writing well

How to write a case study response

Starting well
How to write an annotated bibliography
How to write a critique
How to write an empirical article
How to write an essay
How to write a literature review
How to write a reflective task
How to write a report
Finishing well

Before you start writing, you need to carefully read the case study and make a note of the main issues and problems involved as well as the main stakeholders (persons or groups of persons who have an interest in the case).

Case study elements

A case study response would include the following elements:

Introduction

Introduce the main purpose of the case study and briefly outline the overall problem to be solved.

Description

Write a brief description of the case under discussion giving an outline of the main issues involved. Always assume that your reader knows nothing of the assignment task and provide enough information to give a context for your discussion of the issues.

Discuss the issues raised one by one, using information gained from your research of the academic literature.

Your discussion may include:

an outline of the issue and its implications for or relationship to different stakeholders
how that issue links to theories or research in the academic literature
suggested solutions or ideas
evaluation of the solutions or ideas for this particular case.

Conclusion / Recommendations

Finally, sum up the conclusions that you have come to and give recommendations to resolve the case. Give reasons for your recommendations.

Carefully read the case and noted the main issues and stakeholders in the case?
Written a brief description of the case to give your readers a context for the main issues?
Discussed each issue with reference to the academic literature?
Evaluated the solutions or ideas for each issue to find the ones most suitable?
Made final recommendations of how to resolve the case?
Used a well structured introduction, body and conclusion?
Cited and referenced all of the work by other people?
Used correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, clear presentation and appropriate reference style?

Further information

Monash University: Writing a case study
University of New South Wales: Writing a Case Study Report in Engineering

Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners

QUT acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where QUT now stands.

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Methodology

What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods

What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods

Published on May 8, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 20, 2023.

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.

A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods , but quantitative methods are sometimes also used. Case studies are good for describing , comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a research problem .

When to do a case study, step 1: select a case, step 2: build a theoretical framework, step 3: collect your data, step 4: describe and analyze the case, other interesting articles.

A case study is an appropriate research design when you want to gain concrete, contextual, in-depth knowledge about a specific real-world subject. It allows you to explore the key characteristics, meanings, and implications of the case.

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.

You might use just one complex case study where you explore a single subject in depth, or conduct multiple case studies to compare and illuminate different aspects of your research problem.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

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:

Provide new or unexpected insights into the subject
Challenge or complicate existing assumptions and theories
Propose practical courses of action to resolve a problem
Open up new directions for future research

TipIf your research is more practical in nature and aims to simultaneously investigate an issue as you solve it, consider conducting action research instead.

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.

Example of an outlying case studyIn the 1960s the town of Roseto, Pennsylvania was discovered to have extremely low rates of heart disease compared to the US average. It became an important case study for understanding previously neglected causes of heart disease.

However, you can also choose a more common or representative case to exemplify a particular category, experience or phenomenon.

Example of a representative case studyIn the 1920s, two sociologists used Muncie, Indiana as a case study of a typical American city that supposedly exemplified the changing culture of the US at the time.

While case studies focus more on concrete details than general theories, they should usually have some connection with theory in the field. This way the case study is not just an isolated description, but is integrated into existing knowledge about the topic. It might aim to:

Exemplify a theory by showing how it explains the case under investigation
Expand on a theory by uncovering new concepts and ideas that need to be incorporated
Challenge a theory by exploring an outlier case that doesn’t fit with established assumptions

To ensure that your analysis of the case has a solid academic grounding, you should conduct a literature review of sources related to the topic and develop a theoretical framework . This means identifying key concepts and theories to guide your analysis and interpretation.

There are many different research methods you can use to collect data on your subject. 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). Sometimes a case study will also collect quantitative data.

Example of a mixed methods case studyFor 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.

The aim is to gain as thorough an understanding as possible of the case and its context.

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See an example

In writing up the case study, you need to bring together all the relevant aspects to give as complete a picture as possible of the subject.

How you report your findings depends on the type of research you are doing. Some case studies are structured like a standard scientific paper or thesis , with separate sections or chapters for the methods , results and discussion .

Others are written in a more narrative style, aiming to explore the case from various angles and analyze its meanings and implications (for example, by using textual analysis or discourse analysis ).

In all cases, though, make sure to give contextual details about the case, connect it back to the literature and theory, and discuss how it fits into wider patterns or debates.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Normal distribution
Degrees of freedom
Null hypothesis
Discourse analysis
Control groups
Mixed methods research
Non-probability sampling
Quantitative research
Ecological validity

Research bias

Rosenthal effect
Implicit bias
Cognitive bias
Selection bias
Negativity bias
Status quo bias

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, November 20). What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods. Scribbr. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/case-study/

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WS1006 Self in Professional Helping Guide: Case Study Response

1. Getting Started
2. Finding Information
3. Effective Reading
4. Reflective Writing
5. Referencing
Reflective Writing Exemplar
Case Study Response

WS1006 case study response writing resources

Writing a case study response follows the same steps as your reflective writing task. Start with planning your assignment and finish with referencing, editing and proofreading. Make sure you adjust your academic writing style to suit the change in output to case study response.

How to write a case study response
Understanding task words
The Writing Guide
Academic Phrasebank

Essay writing basics part 1

Essay writing basics part 2

Instructions: Mouse over the text below to see annotations giving explanations and information on the writing process, parts of a blog post, in-text citations and referencing.

Warning: This is a past WS1006 case study response essay. Assignment task requirements may have changed since this was written, but it continues to provide a good example of what a case study response could look like.

A playground built near the Hall, in order to accompany the playgroup established in the Hall. This would give the children a safe place to play, and the opportunity for parents to network. Plans to apply for funding grants to cover costs.
Start a support group for those suffering from mental health issues, with plans to further teach the principles of Choice theory in an effort to encourage personal awareness and a sense of personal control.
Creating a community cultural hub, where everyone is welcome, with promoting cultural differences to breakdown prejudice fears. Running workshops on issues such as self-esteem, anger management and positive parenting.
Collaborating with police to run some sporting programmes to accommodate the bored youth, likening to a PCYC, with the voices of the youth influencing the activities available.
Regular social events to foster a connected community spirit. E.g. Cultural celebrations, fund-raising events or music nights. Reasons for bringing the community together.

References Some work needs to be done on the references and in-text citations, but I can see the author has tried hard.

Grade: High Distinction

<< Previous: Reflective Writing Exemplar
Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024 11:31 AM
URL: https://libguides.jcu.edu.au/WS1006

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Methodology
Case Study | Definition, Examples & Methods

Case Study | Definition, Examples & Methods

Published on 5 May 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 30 January 2023.

A case study is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organisation, or phenomenon. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research.

A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods , but quantitative methods are sometimes also used. Case studies are good for describing , comparing, evaluating, and understanding different aspects of a research problem .

When to do a case study, step 1: select a case, step 2: build a theoretical framework, step 3: collect your data, step 4: describe and analyse the case.

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.

You might use just one complex case study where you explore a single subject in depth, or conduct multiple case studies to compare and illuminate different aspects of your research problem.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

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:

Provide new or unexpected insights into the subject
Challenge or complicate existing assumptions and theories
Propose practical courses of action to resolve a problem
Open up new directions for future research

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.

If you find yourself aiming to simultaneously investigate and solve an issue, consider conducting action research . As its name suggests, action research conducts research and takes action at the same time, and is highly iterative and flexible.

However, you can also choose a more common or representative case to exemplify a particular category, experience, or phenomenon.

Exemplify a theory by showing how it explains the case under investigation
Expand on a theory by uncovering new concepts and ideas that need to be incorporated
Challenge a theory by exploring an outlier case that doesn’t fit with established assumptions

There are many different research methods you can use to collect data on your subject. 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). Sometimes a case study will also collect quantitative data .

The aim is to gain as thorough an understanding as possible of the case and its context.

In writing up the case study, you need to bring together all the relevant aspects to give as complete a picture as possible of the subject.

How you report your findings depends on the type of research you are doing. Some case studies are structured like a standard scientific paper or thesis, with separate sections or chapters for the methods , results , and discussion .

Others are written in a more narrative style, aiming to explore the case from various angles and analyse its meanings and implications (for example, by using textual analysis or discourse analysis ).

In all cases, though, make sure to give contextual details about the case, connect it back to the literature and theory, and discuss how it fits into wider patterns or debates.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, January 30). Case Study | Definition, Examples & Methods. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/research-methods/case-studies/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, correlational research | guide, design & examples, a quick guide to experimental design | 5 steps & examples, descriptive research design | definition, methods & examples.

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What the Case Study Method Really Teaches

Nitin Nohria

Seven meta-skills that stick even if the cases fade from memory.

It’s been 100 years since Harvard Business School began using the case study method. Beyond teaching specific subject matter, the case study method excels in instilling meta-skills in students. This article explains the importance of seven such skills: preparation, discernment, bias recognition, judgement, collaboration, curiosity, and self-confidence.

During my decade as dean of Harvard Business School, I spent hundreds of hours talking with our alumni. To enliven these conversations, I relied on a favorite question: “What was the most important thing you learned from your time in our MBA program?”

Nitin Nohria is the George F. Baker Jr. Professor at Harvard Business School and the former dean of HBS.

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How to Write Case Studies and Why Do You Need Them?
Digital-marketing

What is a case study for your business? It’s an effective (and fascinating!) way to tell the world about the high value of your product/service, your major achievements – and gain confidence in yourself. Case studies are interesting, and they’re much clearer than ordinary reviews – after all, they explain in detail HOW you solved the client’s problem.

And because a well-thought-out case study convinces the reader that you can solve their problem just as well, it becomes a great tool for converting potential customers into real ones.

Sure, the idea of creating a couple of case studies and getting more clients sounds nice… But writing an awesome case is quite hard, and there are rules to follow!

In this article, we will:

Provide a clear case study definition;
Try to convince you why your website should have good cases;
Put together a step-by-step guide on writing a case study that will hit the spot for the client;
Show cool business case study examples based on successful and failed projects.

What are case studies and why are readers so fond of them?

A case study is a small but self-contained story about how you solved (or didn’t solve – sometimes case studies are based on failures) a problem posed to you by the client.

Like every story, an average case study has a beginning, a middle, and an end, and the main character in it is your client. Cases can vary significantly in size, but they all have at least one thing in common – everyone loves to read them!

Our minds are designed in such a way that we’re always into learning something new about others. Especially if there’s a chance it will help us too.

The fun part is that people are much more interested in reading about failures than they are in success stories – so use that! But keep yourself in control and remember that any failure at the end of the case should be turned into success (if possible).

Who needs case studies the most?

Cases are suitable for almost any company, but there are industries for which cases, as an effective tool for increasing sales, will work best. These are, for example:

companies that provide services (SaaS, startups, advertising agencies);
ones that create products in a single copy individually for the client, taking into account his wishes and needs;
using deep expertise to provide a service or manufacture goods

4 reasons why your website should have case studies

According to B2B Marketing research reports, 66% of marketers out of 112 surveyed speak about the high efficiency of case studies in attracting new customers. Another 32% agree that marketing case studies with solutions are one of the best formats for strengthening a company’s image.

They attract new potential customers

People often share peculiar cases. For example, a person who’s not interested in legal matters comes across an elaborate case brief example on the lawyer’s website and posts in on their social media. The post attracts 10 of their acquaintances who then visit the site, and 5 of them turn out to be the lawyer’s potential clients.

They demonstrate your level of expertise and form the company’s leading position in a specific niche/niches

This is what a successful case study does for you

As your company develops new verticals, you’re going to need case studies to continue penetrating the market. Never underestimate the importance of writing a case study to showcase your expertise in widget development/sourcing alternative energy/making fitness franchises, etc.

They raise customers’ loyalty to the brand

A case is the best social proof that builds audience loyalty.

Potential customers want to be sure that your product/service is worth their attention. Your website should contain at least fifty reviews with real photos of satisfied customers, preferably with links to their social media accounts, but… everyone has that.

What only you have is a unique case dedicated to a specific problem of a specific client solved by YOU! And this is that very thing that proves your professionalism and experience.

They convert leads into buyers (Bingo!)

Case studies show that all your company’s efforts are focused on finding the right solution to the customer’s/client’s problem and solving it. A convincing case study is the point where visitors turn into buyers.

What to write about in case studies?

We often don’t notice miracles, even when we work them every day. It’s a professional’s routine. But, at some point, you need to hold up for a moment, recall your most impressive moments, and think about how to write a case study based on it to impress a potential client and make other companies want to use your knowledge.

Many of us already have a few reasons for creating a case study:

A major contract signed

Usually, a lucrative contract is a result of a series of purposeful actions – an innovative approach to work, coordination of interaction of all company’s departments, a successful advertising campaign, skillfully done negotiations – all this could be interesting to your readers.

Significant increase in profits

As well as all the important factors that led to this. Let’s say you launched a new service that brought a stream of new customers or changed your approach to work, which led to unprecedented cost savings.

If the record profit figures were an accident, you can always analyze how you can use this randomness in the future – and share these predictions in a case study.

A common problem solved in a non-standard way

Share your handy life hacks! For instance, you managed to promote a new service of a famous mobile operator with an amateur viral video filmed by your employees after work in your office’s elevator. That’s a story worth telling!

A new product/service launched (or an existing one noticeably improved)

It’s an opportunity to tell your customers what innovations you’ve introduced, how the product will work now, or how its development will change their lives for the better.

A fatal flaw that gave you invaluable experience

Your own failed marketing case study will show that you have the courage to admit your mistakes. And this is a valuable quality, whatever one may say!

To make a failed case study successful, try to fill it with:

A list of events that led you to failure;
Reasons that influenced the result;
A short guide on how you’re going to correct mistakes and keep them from happening again;
Personal tips for readers to help them hedge against similar failures.

But don’t get carried away: for each such sad story, you should have 10 A-grade victories!

How to write a business case study: a step by step guide

Remember: a good case isn’t only about dry facts; it’s an inspiring story (after all, they’re called “success stories” for a reason). But how to create a case study that turns a visitor into a customer or at least makes them want to share your story?

Feel free to illustrate your case study with infographics, photos, and even videos, spice it up with quotes from project participants or excerpts from interviews with clients. Reach out to the audience. Voice the challenges you faced on the road to success – the more realistic the story, the better, so try to manage without generic case study templates from the internet.

Your clients and partners must believe that you’ll accomplish the same feat tomorrow for them too!

Step 1: Pick a project worthy of your case study

If you struggle to find the material for the story, here are a couple of case study questions to help you out:

Does your company have a client satisfied with the high results of the work done?
Are they OK with you sharing certain numbers, like expenses and income?
Is the problem you solved urgently for the reader? Are the solutions you discovered interesting?
Are your results actually impressive? Will they showcase your company’s approach in the best possible way?
Think about it: perhaps, in the process of solving a problem, you found a new use for your product/service? If so, be sure to mention this fact.

Step 2: Make a clear plan

Before you start writing a case, collect all the information and sketch out a thesis plan for the sections of the study.

Step 3: Come up with an attention-grabbing title

A catchy title is a billboard for your case, and it determines whether your readers will spend their time on your story.

Come up with a short but intriguing name for your project that summarizes its essence:

Wrong example : “Preparing a Mediterranean-style wedding for Dennis and Lilly.” Right example : “Arranging a masterpiece Mediterranean-style wedding for Dennis and Lilly in 1.5 weeks.”

You can do it in another way: show the essence of the work in the title, and briefly describe the result in the subtitle, and it will strengthen the title. For example:

Title : “Arranging a wedding for Dennis and Lilly.” Subtitle : “In 1.5 weeks, we have successfully arranged a masterpiece 150-guest Mediterranean-style wedding for Dennis and Lilly.”

Step 4: Give a short summary of the project

This is a thesis summary of your entire case: one paragraph and a capacious metric that reflects the essence of your project’s success should be enough.

Step 5: Illustrate the input data

Here, you briefly describe:

who the client is;
how long have they been using your product/service;
what tasks they set when contacting you;
what results they achieved.

Add some info about the characteristics of the client/task, their budget, and expenses.

Step 6: Provide initial data

In this section, you:

Briefly describe the client company’s state of affairs prior to contacting you;

Name the problems the client had. The reader should understand that things weren’t going well (tell some numbers) if this was indeed the case;
• If the client company already turned for your competitors for help but didn’t achieve the expected result, mention it (but do it humbly)!

Important : All detailed descriptions should be easy to digest – make them readable through bulleted lists, infographics, and design of the case study itself.

Step 7: Describe the solution

This is the most important part of your case: it’s here that the reader (potential client) will conclude about your competence to solve his problem.

Explain in detail how your product/service solved a previous customer’s problem. You can approach the presentation more concisely or post an exciting story with a detailed description of each stage of work.
If you have conducted in-depth research and gathered focus groups, be sure to highlight your efforts.
Remember that it’s essential to present the meaning of the work done in simple and understandable words, providing the reader with context as needed.
If a large portion of your employees participated in problem-solving, motivate them to give their comments, and your case will gain new tones.
Try to illustrate your story – add plans, photos, infographics, videos, screenshots, etc.
It’s a great idea to take a bit of the client’s time and ask them for comments on how satisfied they were with the results you’ve achieved (it would be even better if you get them on video). You want a detailed answer – ask the client to tell what they liked more about your approach, and what could be better in their opinion.

Step 9: Publish the results

Specificity is a crucial part of a case study presentation, so be sure to use numbers, reports, and graphs.

If the results of your work are tangible and measurable (an erected house, a functional website, or a formed staff of new employees), describe and show them.

But what if the achievement of the final result is still ahead and the project is far from over (outsourced accounting or promotion of a large corporate website)?

Then, just record the result that you’ve already achieved today, for example:

reduced the cost of promotion by 30% per month;
completely formed a new department of the company and saved the client $100,000 per month.

Then, mention that you’re continuing to work on the project: this fact will already tell the reader that the client is happy with the results of the collaboration.

And again, don’t be afraid to talk about your failures! Describe why they happened and what conclusions you made for yourself. This will show your openness and honesty.

Step 10: Tell about the client’s future plans (optional)

Briefly tell the reader what the client company is planning for the near future, regardless of whether there’s a place for you in these plans.

Step 11: Create a strong call-to-action (optional)

At this point, you’ve done everything to convince your reader of your competence. There’s only one touch left – to push them to the action!

Convincing CTAs have long been effective in doing this. Place one (with a button allowing the reader to learn more about your product/service) at the end of your case study – and wait for calls!

Case study examples

Google analytics case: remarketing solutions for optimizely.

Optimizely is a leading online A/B testing and user experience optimization platform that offers innovative marketing solutions to maximize UX and keep users coming back to websites.

They had to find an effective and easy way to remarket visitors at specific points in a sales funnel. Google Analytics Premium helped find a way to successfully drive leads through a sales funnel.

What we liked : The story is short and concise. The main text is completed with theses in the column on the right and supported by a quote from the head of the digital marketing department. All in all, it’s a well-done case study example with nothing extra to distract the reader.

LeadGnome case: automated email marketing for Host Analytics

Upon shifting towards an account-based marketing strategy, Host Analytics discovered that low quality needs hamper the company’s marketing efforts.

LeadGnome presented the solution to the problem by implementing an automated email marketing approach to provide nurtured and qualified leads through email marketing.

What we liked : The case study isn’t hard to read; the info is structured. In the end, LeadGnome describes what lies ahead before Host Analytics.

LevelEleven case: boosting selling activities for Staples

Staples were looking for an approach that would help their employees focus on the right sales activities.

With the help of LevelEleven, the company’s team came up with a better understanding of the important KPIs and got a 182 percent boost in main selling activities.

What we liked : A simple but very efficient approach to design that replaces tons of text with the only thing that matters – numbers.

Sum up: tips for creating a case study

Interesting, inspiring case studies with working solutions on your website are win-win content that works for the company’s image.

To create a case that grabs attention and forces the reader to make the right decision, follow these simple tips:

A case study is advertising material. Attract attention with a strong headline, convey the message in simple words spiced with quality illustrations, customer and employee comments, and feedback, and end the magic with a clear call-to-action and a “Contact Us” button.
There’s no universal case study format, there’s only a logical structure: client-problem-solution-result. The best cases come about when you weave storytelling elements into them.
Don’t forget about the beautiful, easy-to-read design: create a balanced color scheme, think about how to make the story more readable (break the text into small paragraphs, choose a suitable font, etc.).
If you’re sure that you have a perfect case study – don’t limit yourself only to your website, offer the material to thematic communities on social networks, send it to bloggers, or let the media cover it. People must know about your success!
You can always make your case study go viral, and it will get the maximum response. Various PR techniques, light provocations, situational marketing, and the use of trends are the most appropriate tools.
If you don’t yet have customer success stories for a case study, write about any of your successfully optimized business processes. If your portfolio allows, opt for the most interesting cases. When choosing, focus on showing the capabilities of your business from different angles: complex niches, large-scale projects, tight deadlines, surprisingly awesome results, etc.

If you have plenty of interesting cases, but you still don’t know how to let people know about your professionalism, contacts us and we will create an engaging business case on your website within a content strategy.

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Acknowledgments

Definition and Introduction

Case analysis is a problem-based teaching and learning method that involves critically analyzing complex scenarios within an organizational setting for the purpose of placing the student in a “real world” situation and applying reflection and critical thinking skills to contemplate appropriate solutions, decisions, or recommended courses of action. It is considered a more effective teaching technique than in-class role playing or simulation activities. The analytical process is often guided by questions provided by the instructor that ask students to contemplate relationships between the facts and critical incidents described in the case.

Cases generally include both descriptive and statistical elements and rely on students applying abductive reasoning to develop and argue for preferred or best outcomes [i.e., case scenarios rarely have a single correct or perfect answer based on the evidence provided]. Rather than emphasizing theories or concepts, case analysis assignments emphasize building a bridge of relevancy between abstract thinking and practical application and, by so doing, teaches the value of both within a specific area of professional practice.

Given this, the purpose of a case analysis paper is to present a structured and logically organized format for analyzing the case situation. It can be assigned to students individually or as a small group assignment and it may include an in-class presentation component. Case analysis is predominately taught in economics and business-related courses, but it is also a method of teaching and learning found in other applied social sciences disciplines, such as, social work, public relations, education, journalism, and public administration.

Ellet, William. The Case Study Handbook: A Student's Guide . Revised Edition. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing, 2018; Christoph Rasche and Achim Seisreiner. Guidelines for Business Case Analysis . University of Potsdam; Writing a Case Analysis . Writing Center, Baruch College; Volpe, Guglielmo. "Case Teaching in Economics: History, Practice and Evidence." Cogent Economics and Finance 3 (December 2015). doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2015.1120977.

How to Approach Writing a Case Analysis Paper

The organization and structure of a case analysis paper can vary depending on the organizational setting, the situation, and how your professor wants you to approach the assignment. Nevertheless, preparing to write a case analysis paper involves several important steps. As Hawes notes, a case analysis assignment “...is useful in developing the ability to get to the heart of a problem, analyze it thoroughly, and to indicate the appropriate solution as well as how it should be implemented” [p.48]. This statement encapsulates how you should approach preparing to write a case analysis paper.

Before you begin to write your paper, consider the following analytical procedures:

Review the case to get an overview of the situation . A case can be only a few pages in length, however, it is most often very lengthy and contains a significant amount of detailed background information and statistics, with multilayered descriptions of the scenario, the roles and behaviors of various stakeholder groups, and situational events. Therefore, a quick reading of the case will help you gain an overall sense of the situation and illuminate the types of issues and problems that you will need to address in your paper. If your professor has provided questions intended to help frame your analysis, use them to guide your initial reading of the case.
Read the case thoroughly . After gaining a general overview of the case, carefully read the content again with the purpose of understanding key circumstances, events, and behaviors among stakeholder groups. Look for information or data that appears contradictory, extraneous, or misleading. At this point, you should be taking notes as you read because this will help you develop a general outline of your paper. The aim is to obtain a complete understanding of the situation so that you can begin contemplating tentative answers to any questions your professor has provided or, if they have not provided, developing answers to your own questions about the case scenario and its connection to the course readings,lectures, and class discussions.
Determine key stakeholder groups, issues, and events and the relationships they all have to each other . As you analyze the content, pay particular attention to identifying individuals, groups, or organizations described in the case and identify evidence of any problems or issues of concern that impact the situation in a negative way. Other things to look for include identifying any assumptions being made by or about each stakeholder, potential biased explanations or actions, explicit demands or ultimatums , and the underlying concerns that motivate these behaviors among stakeholders. The goal at this stage is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the situational and behavioral dynamics of the case and the explicit and implicit consequences of each of these actions.
Identify the core problems . The next step in most case analysis assignments is to discern what the core [i.e., most damaging, detrimental, injurious] problems are within the organizational setting and to determine their implications. The purpose at this stage of preparing to write your analysis paper is to distinguish between the symptoms of core problems and the core problems themselves and to decide which of these must be addressed immediately and which problems do not appear critical but may escalate over time. Identify evidence from the case to support your decisions by determining what information or data is essential to addressing the core problems and what information is not relevant or is misleading.
Explore alternative solutions . As noted, case analysis scenarios rarely have only one correct answer. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that the process of analyzing the case and diagnosing core problems, while based on evidence, is a subjective process open to various avenues of interpretation. This means that you must consider alternative solutions or courses of action by critically examining strengths and weaknesses, risk factors, and the differences between short and long-term solutions. For each possible solution or course of action, consider the consequences they may have related to their implementation and how these recommendations might lead to new problems. Also, consider thinking about your recommended solutions or courses of action in relation to issues of fairness, equity, and inclusion.
Decide on a final set of recommendations . The last stage in preparing to write a case analysis paper is to assert an opinion or viewpoint about the recommendations needed to help resolve the core problems as you see them and to make a persuasive argument for supporting this point of view. Prepare a clear rationale for your recommendations based on examining each element of your analysis. Anticipate possible obstacles that could derail their implementation. Consider any counter-arguments that could be made concerning the validity of your recommended actions. Finally, describe a set of criteria and measurable indicators that could be applied to evaluating the effectiveness of your implementation plan.

Use these steps as the framework for writing your paper. Remember that the more detailed you are in taking notes as you critically examine each element of the case, the more information you will have to draw from when you begin to write. This will save you time.

NOTE : If the process of preparing to write a case analysis paper is assigned as a student group project, consider having each member of the group analyze a specific element of the case, including drafting answers to the corresponding questions used by your professor to frame the analysis. This will help make the analytical process more efficient and ensure that the distribution of work is equitable. This can also facilitate who is responsible for drafting each part of the final case analysis paper and, if applicable, the in-class presentation.

Framework for Case Analysis . College of Management. University of Massachusetts; Hawes, Jon M. "Teaching is Not Telling: The Case Method as a Form of Interactive Learning." Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education 5 (Winter 2004): 47-54; Rasche, Christoph and Achim Seisreiner. Guidelines for Business Case Analysis . University of Potsdam; Writing a Case Study Analysis . University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center; Van Ness, Raymond K. A Guide to Case Analysis . School of Business. State University of New York, Albany; Writing a Case Analysis . Business School, University of New South Wales.

Structure and Writing Style

A case analysis paper should be detailed, concise, persuasive, clearly written, and professional in tone and in the use of language . As with other forms of college-level academic writing, declarative statements that convey information, provide a fact, or offer an explanation or any recommended courses of action should be based on evidence. If allowed by your professor, any external sources used to support your analysis, such as course readings, should be properly cited under a list of references. The organization and structure of case analysis papers can vary depending on your professor’s preferred format, but its structure generally follows the steps used for analyzing the case.

Introduction

The introduction should provide a succinct but thorough descriptive overview of the main facts, issues, and core problems of the case . The introduction should also include a brief summary of the most relevant details about the situation and organizational setting. This includes defining the theoretical framework or conceptual model on which any questions were used to frame your analysis.

Following the rules of most college-level research papers, the introduction should then inform the reader how the paper will be organized. This includes describing the major sections of the paper and the order in which they will be presented. Unless you are told to do so by your professor, you do not need to preview your final recommendations in the introduction. U nlike most college-level research papers , the introduction does not include a statement about the significance of your findings because a case analysis assignment does not involve contributing new knowledge about a research problem.

Background Analysis

Background analysis can vary depending on any guiding questions provided by your professor and the underlying concept or theory that the case is based upon. In general, however, this section of your paper should focus on:

Providing an overarching analysis of problems identified from the case scenario, including identifying events that stakeholders find challenging or troublesome,
Identifying assumptions made by each stakeholder and any apparent biases they may exhibit,
Describing any demands or claims made by or forced upon key stakeholders, and
Highlighting any issues of concern or complaints expressed by stakeholders in response to those demands or claims.

These aspects of the case are often in the form of behavioral responses expressed by individuals or groups within the organizational setting. However, note that problems in a case situation can also be reflected in data [or the lack thereof] and in the decision-making, operational, cultural, or institutional structure of the organization. Additionally, demands or claims can be either internal and external to the organization [e.g., a case analysis involving a president considering arms sales to Saudi Arabia could include managing internal demands from White House advisors as well as demands from members of Congress].

Throughout this section, present all relevant evidence from the case that supports your analysis. Do not simply claim there is a problem, an assumption, a demand, or a concern; tell the reader what part of the case informed how you identified these background elements.

Identification of Problems

In most case analysis assignments, there are problems, and then there are problems . Each problem can reflect a multitude of underlying symptoms that are detrimental to the interests of the organization. The purpose of identifying problems is to teach students how to differentiate between problems that vary in severity, impact, and relative importance. Given this, problems can be described in three general forms: those that must be addressed immediately, those that should be addressed but the impact is not severe, and those that do not require immediate attention and can be set aside for the time being.

All of the problems you identify from the case should be identified in this section of your paper, with a description based on evidence explaining the problem variances. If the assignment asks you to conduct research to further support your assessment of the problems, include this in your explanation. Remember to cite those sources in a list of references. Use specific evidence from the case and apply appropriate concepts, theories, and models discussed in class or in relevant course readings to highlight and explain the key problems [or problem] that you believe must be solved immediately and describe the underlying symptoms and why they are so critical.

Alternative Solutions

This section is where you provide specific, realistic, and evidence-based solutions to the problems you have identified and make recommendations about how to alleviate the underlying symptomatic conditions impacting the organizational setting. For each solution, you must explain why it was chosen and provide clear evidence to support your reasoning. This can include, for example, course readings and class discussions as well as research resources, such as, books, journal articles, research reports, or government documents. In some cases, your professor may encourage you to include personal, anecdotal experiences as evidence to support why you chose a particular solution or set of solutions. Using anecdotal evidence helps promote reflective thinking about the process of determining what qualifies as a core problem and relevant solution .

Throughout this part of the paper, keep in mind the entire array of problems that must be addressed and describe in detail the solutions that might be implemented to resolve these problems.

Recommended Courses of Action

In some case analysis assignments, your professor may ask you to combine the alternative solutions section with your recommended courses of action. However, it is important to know the difference between the two. A solution refers to the answer to a problem. A course of action refers to a procedure or deliberate sequence of activities adopted to proactively confront a situation, often in the context of accomplishing a goal. In this context, proposed courses of action are based on your analysis of alternative solutions. Your description and justification for pursuing each course of action should represent the overall plan for implementing your recommendations.

For each course of action, you need to explain the rationale for your recommendation in a way that confronts challenges, explains risks, and anticipates any counter-arguments from stakeholders. Do this by considering the strengths and weaknesses of each course of action framed in relation to how the action is expected to resolve the core problems presented, the possible ways the action may affect remaining problems, and how the recommended action will be perceived by each stakeholder.

In addition, you should describe the criteria needed to measure how well the implementation of these actions is working and explain which individuals or groups are responsible for ensuring your recommendations are successful. In addition, always consider the law of unintended consequences. Outline difficulties that may arise in implementing each course of action and describe how implementing the proposed courses of action [either individually or collectively] may lead to new problems [both large and small].

Throughout this section, you must consider the costs and benefits of recommending your courses of action in relation to uncertainties or missing information and the negative consequences of success.

The conclusion should be brief and introspective. Unlike a research paper, the conclusion in a case analysis paper does not include a summary of key findings and their significance, a statement about how the study contributed to existing knowledge, or indicate opportunities for future research.

Begin by synthesizing the core problems presented in the case and the relevance of your recommended solutions. This can include an explanation of what you have learned about the case in the context of your answers to the questions provided by your professor. The conclusion is also where you link what you learned from analyzing the case with the course readings or class discussions. This can further demonstrate your understanding of the relationships between the practical case situation and the theoretical and abstract content of assigned readings and other course content.

Problems to Avoid

The literature on case analysis assignments often includes examples of difficulties students have with applying methods of critical analysis and effectively reporting the results of their assessment of the situation. A common reason cited by scholars is that the application of this type of teaching and learning method is limited to applied fields of social and behavioral sciences and, as a result, writing a case analysis paper can be unfamiliar to most students entering college.

After you have drafted your paper, proofread the narrative flow and revise any of these common errors:

Unnecessary detail in the background section . The background section should highlight the essential elements of the case based on your analysis. Focus on summarizing the facts and highlighting the key factors that become relevant in the other sections of the paper by eliminating any unnecessary information.
Analysis relies too much on opinion . Your analysis is interpretive, but the narrative must be connected clearly to evidence from the case and any models and theories discussed in class or in course readings. Any positions or arguments you make should be supported by evidence.
Analysis does not focus on the most important elements of the case . Your paper should provide a thorough overview of the case. However, the analysis should focus on providing evidence about what you identify are the key events, stakeholders, issues, and problems. Emphasize what you identify as the most critical aspects of the case to be developed throughout your analysis. Be thorough but succinct.
Writing is too descriptive . A paper with too much descriptive information detracts from your analysis of the complexities of the case situation. Questions about what happened, where, when, and by whom should only be included as essential information leading to your examination of questions related to why, how, and for what purpose.
Inadequate definition of a core problem and associated symptoms . A common error found in case analysis papers is recommending a solution or course of action without adequately defining or demonstrating that you understand the problem. Make sure you have clearly described the problem and its impact and scope within the organizational setting. Ensure that you have adequately described the root causes w hen describing the symptoms of the problem.
Recommendations lack specificity . Identify any use of vague statements and indeterminate terminology, such as, “A particular experience” or “a large increase to the budget.” These statements cannot be measured and, as a result, there is no way to evaluate their successful implementation. Provide specific data and use direct language in describing recommended actions.
Unrealistic, exaggerated, or unattainable recommendations . Review your recommendations to ensure that they are based on the situational facts of the case. Your recommended solutions and courses of action must be based on realistic assumptions and fit within the constraints of the situation. Also note that the case scenario has already happened, therefore, any speculation or arguments about what could have occurred if the circumstances were different should be revised or eliminated.

Bee, Lian Song et al. "Business Students' Perspectives on Case Method Coaching for Problem-Based Learning: Impacts on Student Engagement and Learning Performance in Higher Education." Education & Training 64 (2022): 416-432; The Case Analysis . Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors. Grand Valley State University; Georgallis, Panikos and Kayleigh Bruijn. "Sustainability Teaching using Case-Based Debates." Journal of International Education in Business 15 (2022): 147-163; Hawes, Jon M. "Teaching is Not Telling: The Case Method as a Form of Interactive Learning." Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education 5 (Winter 2004): 47-54; Georgallis, Panikos, and Kayleigh Bruijn. "Sustainability Teaching Using Case-based Debates." Journal of International Education in Business 15 (2022): 147-163; .Dean, Kathy Lund and Charles J. Fornaciari. "How to Create and Use Experiential Case-Based Exercises in a Management Classroom." Journal of Management Education 26 (October 2002): 586-603; Klebba, Joanne M. and Janet G. Hamilton. "Structured Case Analysis: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in a Marketing Case Course." Journal of Marketing Education 29 (August 2007): 132-137, 139; Klein, Norman. "The Case Discussion Method Revisited: Some Questions about Student Skills." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 30-32; Mukherjee, Arup. "Effective Use of In-Class Mini Case Analysis for Discovery Learning in an Undergraduate MIS Course." The Journal of Computer Information Systems 40 (Spring 2000): 15-23; Pessoa, Silviaet al. "Scaffolding the Case Analysis in an Organizational Behavior Course: Making Analytical Language Explicit." Journal of Management Education 46 (2022): 226-251: Ramsey, V. J. and L. D. Dodge. "Case Analysis: A Structured Approach." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 27-29; Schweitzer, Karen. "How to Write and Format a Business Case Study." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-and-format-a-business-case-study-466324 (accessed December 5, 2022); Reddy, C. D. "Teaching Research Methodology: Everything's a Case." Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods 18 (December 2020): 178-188; Volpe, Guglielmo. "Case Teaching in Economics: History, Practice and Evidence." Cogent Economics and Finance 3 (December 2015). doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2015.1120977.

Writing Tip

Ca se Study and Case Analysis Are Not the Same!

Confusion often exists between what it means to write a paper that uses a case study research design and writing a paper that analyzes a case; they are two different types of approaches to learning in the social and behavioral sciences. Professors as well as educational researchers contribute to this confusion because they often use the term "case study" when describing the subject of analysis for a case analysis paper. But you are not studying a case for the purpose of generating a comprehensive, multi-faceted understanding of a research problem. R ather, you are critically analyzing a specific scenario to argue logically for recommended solutions and courses of action that lead to optimal outcomes applicable to professional practice.

To avoid any confusion, here are twelve characteristics that delineate the differences between writing a paper using the case study research method and writing a case analysis paper:

Case study is a method of in-depth research and rigorous inquiry ; case analysis is a reliable method of teaching and learning . A case study is a modality of research that investigates a phenomenon for the purpose of creating new knowledge, solving a problem, or testing a hypothesis using empirical evidence derived from the case being studied. Often, the results are used to generalize about a larger population or within a wider context. The writing adheres to the traditional standards of a scholarly research study. A case analysis is a pedagogical tool used to teach students how to reflect and think critically about a practical, real-life problem in an organizational setting.
The researcher is responsible for identifying the case to study; a case analysis is assigned by your professor . As the researcher, you choose the case study to investigate in support of obtaining new knowledge and understanding about the research problem. The case in a case analysis assignment is almost always provided, and sometimes written, by your professor and either given to every student in class to analyze individually or to a small group of students, or students select a case to analyze from a predetermined list.
A case study is indeterminate and boundless; a case analysis is predetermined and confined . A case study can be almost anything [see item 9 below] as long as it relates directly to examining the research problem. This relationship is the only limit to what a researcher can choose as the subject of their case study. The content of a case analysis is determined by your professor and its parameters are well-defined and limited to elucidating insights of practical value applied to practice.
Case study is fact-based and describes actual events or situations; case analysis can be entirely fictional or adapted from an actual situation . The entire content of a case study must be grounded in reality to be a valid subject of investigation in an empirical research study. A case analysis only needs to set the stage for critically examining a situation in practice and, therefore, can be entirely fictional or adapted, all or in-part, from an actual situation.
Research using a case study method must adhere to principles of intellectual honesty and academic integrity; a case analysis scenario can include misleading or false information . A case study paper must report research objectively and factually to ensure that any findings are understood to be logically correct and trustworthy. A case analysis scenario may include misleading or false information intended to deliberately distract from the central issues of the case. The purpose is to teach students how to sort through conflicting or useless information in order to come up with the preferred solution. Any use of misleading or false information in academic research is considered unethical.
Case study is linked to a research problem; case analysis is linked to a practical situation or scenario . In the social sciences, the subject of an investigation is most often framed as a problem that must be researched in order to generate new knowledge leading to a solution. Case analysis narratives are grounded in real life scenarios for the purpose of examining the realities of decision-making behavior and processes within organizational settings. A case analysis assignments include a problem or set of problems to be analyzed. However, the goal is centered around the act of identifying and evaluating courses of action leading to best possible outcomes.
The purpose of a case study is to create new knowledge through research; the purpose of a case analysis is to teach new understanding . Case studies are a choice of methodological design intended to create new knowledge about resolving a research problem. A case analysis is a mode of teaching and learning intended to create new understanding and an awareness of uncertainty applied to practice through acts of critical thinking and reflection.
A case study seeks to identify the best possible solution to a research problem; case analysis can have an indeterminate set of solutions or outcomes . Your role in studying a case is to discover the most logical, evidence-based ways to address a research problem. A case analysis assignment rarely has a single correct answer because one of the goals is to force students to confront the real life dynamics of uncertainly, ambiguity, and missing or conflicting information within professional practice. Under these conditions, a perfect outcome or solution almost never exists.
Case study is unbounded and relies on gathering external information; case analysis is a self-contained subject of analysis . The scope of a case study chosen as a method of research is bounded. However, the researcher is free to gather whatever information and data is necessary to investigate its relevance to understanding the research problem. For a case analysis assignment, your professor will often ask you to examine solutions or recommended courses of action based solely on facts and information from the case.
Case study can be a person, place, object, issue, event, condition, or phenomenon; a case analysis is a carefully constructed synopsis of events, situations, and behaviors . The research problem dictates the type of case being studied and, therefore, the design can encompass almost anything tangible as long as it fulfills the objective of generating new knowledge and understanding. A case analysis is in the form of a narrative containing descriptions of facts, situations, processes, rules, and behaviors within a particular setting and under a specific set of circumstances.
Case study can represent an open-ended subject of inquiry; a case analysis is a narrative about something that has happened in the past . A case study is not restricted by time and can encompass an event or issue with no temporal limit or end. For example, the current war in Ukraine can be used as a case study of how medical personnel help civilians during a large military conflict, even though circumstances around this event are still evolving. A case analysis can be used to elicit critical thinking about current or future situations in practice, but the case itself is a narrative about something finite and that has taken place in the past.
Multiple case studies can be used in a research study; case analysis involves examining a single scenario . Case study research can use two or more cases to examine a problem, often for the purpose of conducting a comparative investigation intended to discover hidden relationships, document emerging trends, or determine variations among different examples. A case analysis assignment typically describes a stand-alone, self-contained situation and any comparisons among cases are conducted during in-class discussions and/or student presentations.

The Case Analysis . Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors. Grand Valley State University; Mills, Albert J. , Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010; Ramsey, V. J. and L. D. Dodge. "Case Analysis: A Structured Approach." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 27-29; Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods . 6th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2017; Crowe, Sarah et al. “The Case Study Approach.” BMC Medical Research Methodology 11 (2011): doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-11-100; Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods . 4th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing; 1994.

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What Is a Case Study?

Weighing the pros and cons of this method of research

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Cara Lustik is a fact-checker and copywriter.

Verywell / Colleen Tighe

Pros and Cons

What Types of Case Studies Are Out There?

Where do you find data for a case study, how do i write a psychology 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. Case studies can be used in many different fields, including psychology, medicine, education, anthropology, political science, and social work.

The point of a case study is to learn as much as possible about an individual or group so that the information can be generalized to many others. Unfortunately, case studies tend to be highly subjective, and it is sometimes difficult to generalize results to a larger population.

While case studies focus on a single individual or group, they follow a format similar to other types of psychology writing. If you are writing a case study, we got you—here are some rules of APA format to reference.

At a Glance

A case study, or an in-depth study of a person, group, or event, can be a useful research tool when used wisely. In many cases, case studies are best used in situations where it would be difficult or impossible for you to conduct an experiment. They are helpful for looking at unique situations and allow researchers to gather a lot of˜ information about a specific individual or group of people. However, it's important to be cautious of any bias we draw from them as they are highly subjective.

What Are the Benefits and Limitations of Case Studies?

A case study can have its strengths and weaknesses. 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 or impossible to replicate in a lab. Some other benefits of a case study:

Allows researchers to capture information on the 'how,' 'what,' and 'why,' of something that's implemented
Gives researchers the chance to collect information on why one strategy might be chosen over another
Permits researchers to develop hypotheses that can be explored in experimental research

On the other hand, a case study can have some drawbacks:

It cannot necessarily be generalized to the larger population
Cannot demonstrate cause and effect
It may not be scientifically rigorous
It can lead to bias

Researchers may choose to perform a case study if they want to explore a unique or recently discovered phenomenon. Through their insights, researchers develop additional ideas and study questions that might be explored in future studies.

It's important to remember that the insights from case studies cannot be used to determine cause-and-effect relationships between variables. However, case studies may be used to develop hypotheses that can then be addressed in experimental research.

Case Study Examples

There have been a number of notable case studies in the history of psychology. Much of Freud's work and theories were developed through individual case studies. Some great examples of case studies in psychology include:

Anna O : Anna O. was a pseudonym of a woman named Bertha Pappenheim, a patient of a physician named Josef Breuer. While she was never a patient of Freud's, Freud and Breuer discussed her case extensively. The woman was experiencing symptoms of a condition that was then known as hysteria and found that talking about her problems helped relieve her symptoms. Her case played an important part in the development of talk therapy as an approach to mental health treatment.
Phineas Gage : Phineas Gage was a railroad employee who experienced a terrible accident in which an explosion sent a metal rod through his skull, damaging important portions of his brain. Gage recovered from his accident but was left with serious changes in both personality and behavior.
Genie : Genie was a young girl subjected to horrific abuse and isolation. The case study of Genie allowed researchers to study whether language learning was possible, even after missing critical periods for language development. Her case also served as an example of how scientific research may interfere with treatment and lead to further abuse of vulnerable individuals.

Such cases demonstrate how case research can be used to study things that researchers could not replicate in experimental settings. In Genie's case, her horrific abuse denied her the opportunity to learn a language at critical points in her development.

This is clearly not something researchers could ethically replicate, but conducting a case study on Genie allowed researchers to study phenomena that are otherwise impossible to reproduce.

There are a few different types of case studies that psychologists and other researchers might use:

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. For example, psychologists might explore how access to resources in a community has affected the collective mental well-being of those who live there.
Descriptive case studies : These involve starting with a descriptive theory. The subjects are then observed, and the information gathered is compared to the pre-existing theory.
Explanatory case studies : These are often used to do causal investigations. In other words, researchers are interested in looking at factors that may have caused certain things to occur.
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 .
Instrumental case studies : These occur when the individual or group allows researchers to understand more than what is initially obvious to observers.
Intrinsic case studies : This type of case study is when the researcher has a personal interest in the case. Jean Piaget's observations of his own children are good examples of how an intrinsic case study can contribute to the development of a psychological theory.

The three main case study types often used are intrinsic, instrumental, and collective. Intrinsic case studies are useful for learning about unique cases. Instrumental case studies help look at an individual to learn more about a broader issue. A collective case study can be useful for looking at several cases simultaneously.

The type of case study that psychology researchers use depends on the unique characteristics of the situation and the case itself.

There are a number of different sources and methods that researchers can use to gather information about an individual or group. Six major sources that have been identified by researchers are:

Archival records : Census records, survey records, and name lists are examples of archival records.
Direct observation : This strategy involves observing the subject, often in a natural setting . While an individual observer is sometimes used, it is more common to utilize a group of observers.
Documents : Letters, newspaper articles, administrative records, etc., are the types of documents often used as sources.
Interviews : Interviews are one of the most important methods for gathering information in case studies. An interview can involve structured survey questions or more open-ended questions.
Participant observation : When the researcher serves as a participant in events and observes the actions and outcomes, it is called participant observation.
Physical artifacts : Tools, objects, instruments, and other artifacts are often observed during a direct observation of the subject.

If you have been directed to write a case study for a psychology course, be sure to check with your instructor for any specific guidelines you need to follow. If you are writing your case study for a professional publication, check with the publisher for their specific guidelines for submitting a case study.

Here is a general outline of what should be included in a case study.

Section 1: A Case History

This section will have the following structure and content:

Background information : The first section of your paper will present your client's background. Include factors such as age, gender, work, health status, family mental health history, family and social relationships, drug and alcohol history, life difficulties, goals, and coping skills and weaknesses.

Description of the presenting problem : In the next section of your case study, you will describe the problem or symptoms that the client presented with.

Describe any physical, emotional, or sensory symptoms reported by the client. Thoughts, feelings, and perceptions related to the symptoms should also be noted. Any screening or diagnostic assessments that are used should also be described in detail and all scores reported.

Your diagnosis : Provide your diagnosis and give the appropriate Diagnostic and Statistical Manual code. Explain how you reached your diagnosis, how the client's symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria for the disorder(s), or any possible difficulties in reaching a diagnosis.

Section 2: Treatment Plan

This portion of the paper will address the chosen treatment for the condition. This might also include the theoretical basis for the chosen treatment or any other evidence that might exist to support why this approach was chosen.

Cognitive behavioral approach : Explain how a cognitive behavioral therapist would approach treatment. Offer background information on cognitive behavioral therapy and describe the treatment sessions, client response, and outcome of this type of treatment. Make note of any difficulties or successes encountered by your client during treatment.
Humanistic approach : Describe a humanistic approach that could be used to treat your client, such as client-centered therapy . Provide information on the type of treatment you chose, the client's reaction to the treatment, and the end result of this approach. Explain why the treatment was successful or unsuccessful.
Psychoanalytic approach : Describe how a psychoanalytic therapist would view the client's problem. Provide some background on the psychoanalytic approach and cite relevant references. Explain how psychoanalytic therapy would be used to treat the client, how the client would respond to therapy, and the effectiveness of this treatment approach.
Pharmacological approach : If treatment primarily involves the use of medications, explain which medications were used and why. Provide background on the effectiveness of these medications and how monotherapy may compare with an approach that combines medications with therapy or other treatments.

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. You should note how the findings of your case study might support previous research.

In your discussion section, you should also describe some of the implications of your case study. What ideas or findings might require further exploration? How might researchers go about exploring some of these questions in additional studies?

Need More Tips?

Here are a few additional pointers to keep in mind when formatting your case study:

Never refer to the subject of your case study as "the client." Instead, use their name or a pseudonym.
Read examples of case studies to gain an idea about the style and format.
Remember to use APA format when citing references .

Crowe S, Cresswell K, Robertson A, Huby G, Avery A, Sheikh A. The case study approach . BMC Med Res Methodol . 2011;11:100.

Crowe S, Cresswell K, Robertson A, Huby G, Avery A, Sheikh A. The case study approach . BMC Med Res Methodol . 2011 Jun 27;11:100. doi:10.1186/1471-2288-11-100

Gagnon, Yves-Chantal. The Case Study as Research Method: A Practical Handbook . Canada, Chicago Review Press Incorporated DBA Independent Pub Group, 2010.

Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods . United States, SAGE Publications, 2017.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

All You Wanted to Know About How to Write a Case Study

What do you study in your college? If you are a psychology, sociology, or anthropology student, we bet you might be familiar with what a case study is. This research method is used to study a certain person, group, or situation. In this guide from our dissertation writing service , you will learn how to write a case study professionally, from researching to citing sources properly. Also, we will explore different types of case studies and show you examples — so that you won’t have any other questions left.

What Is a Case Study?

A case study is a subcategory of research design which investigates problems and offers solutions. Case studies can range from academic research studies to corporate promotional tools trying to sell an idea—their scope is quite vast.

What Is the Difference Between a Research Paper and a Case Study?

While research papers turn the reader’s attention to a certain problem, case studies go even further. Case study guidelines require students to pay attention to details, examining issues closely and in-depth using different research methods. For example, case studies may be used to examine court cases if you study Law, or a patient's health history if you study Medicine. Case studies are also used in Marketing, which are thorough, empirically supported analysis of a good or service's performance. Well-designed case studies can be valuable for prospective customers as they can identify and solve the potential customers pain point.

Case studies involve a lot of storytelling – they usually examine particular cases for a person or a group of people. This method of research is very helpful, as it is very practical and can give a lot of hands-on information. Most commonly, the length of the case study is about 500-900 words, which is much less than the length of an average research paper.

The structure of a case study is very similar to storytelling. It has a protagonist or main character, which in your case is actually a problem you are trying to solve. You can use the system of 3 Acts to make it a compelling story. It should have an introduction, rising action, a climax where transformation occurs, falling action, and a solution.

Here is a rough formula for you to use in your case study:

Problem (Act I): > Solution (Act II) > Result (Act III) > Conclusion.

Types of Case Studies

The purpose of a case study is to provide detailed reports on an event, an institution, a place, future customers, or pretty much anything. There are a few common types of case study, but the type depends on the topic. The following are the most common domains where case studies are needed:

Historical case studies are great to learn from. Historical events have a multitude of source info offering different perspectives. There are always modern parallels where these perspectives can be applied, compared, and thoroughly analyzed.
Problem-oriented case studies are usually used for solving problems. These are often assigned as theoretical situations where you need to immerse yourself in the situation to examine it. Imagine you’re working for a startup and you’ve just noticed a significant flaw in your product’s design. Before taking it to the senior manager, you want to do a comprehensive study on the issue and provide solutions. On a greater scale, problem-oriented case studies are a vital part of relevant socio-economic discussions.
Cumulative case studies collect information and offer comparisons. In business, case studies are often used to tell people about the value of a product.
Critical case studies explore the causes and effects of a certain case.
Illustrative case studies describe certain events, investigating outcomes and lessons learned.

Need a compelling case study? EssayPro has got you covered. Our experts are ready to provide you with detailed, insightful case studies that capture the essence of real-world scenarios. Elevate your academic work with our professional assistance.

Case Study Format

The case study format is typically made up of eight parts:

Executive Summary. Explain what you will examine in the case study. Write an overview of the field you’re researching. Make a thesis statement and sum up the results of your observation in a maximum of 2 sentences.
Background. Provide background information and the most relevant facts. Isolate the issues.
Case Evaluation. Isolate the sections of the study you want to focus on. In it, explain why something is working or is not working.
Proposed Solutions. Offer realistic ways to solve what isn’t working or how to improve its current condition. Explain why these solutions work by offering testable evidence.
Conclusion. Summarize the main points from the case evaluations and proposed solutions. 6. Recommendations. Talk about the strategy that you should choose. Explain why this choice is the most appropriate.
Implementation. Explain how to put the specific strategies into action.
References. Provide all the citations.

How to Write a Case Study

Let's discover how to write a case study.

Setting Up the Research

When writing a case study, remember that research should always come first. Reading many different sources and analyzing other points of view will help you come up with more creative solutions. You can also conduct an actual interview to thoroughly investigate the customer story that you'll need for your case study. Including all of the necessary research, writing a case study may take some time. The research process involves doing the following:

Define your objective. Explain the reason why you’re presenting your subject. Figure out where you will feature your case study; whether it is written, on video, shown as an infographic, streamed as a podcast, etc.
Determine who will be the right candidate for your case study. Get permission, quotes, and other features that will make your case study effective. Get in touch with your candidate to see if they approve of being part of your work. Study that candidate’s situation and note down what caused it.
Identify which various consequences could result from the situation. Follow these guidelines on how to start a case study: surf the net to find some general information you might find useful.
Make a list of credible sources and examine them. Seek out important facts and highlight problems. Always write down your ideas and make sure to brainstorm.
Focus on several key issues – why they exist, and how they impact your research subject. Think of several unique solutions. Draw from class discussions, readings, and personal experience. When writing a case study, focus on the best solution and explore it in depth. After having all your research in place, writing a case study will be easy. You may first want to check the rubric and criteria of your assignment for the correct case study structure.

Read Also: 'CREDIBLE SOURCES: WHAT ARE THEY?'

Although your instructor might be looking at slightly different criteria, every case study rubric essentially has the same standards. Your professor will want you to exhibit 8 different outcomes:

Correctly identify the concepts, theories, and practices in the discipline.
Identify the relevant theories and principles associated with the particular study.
Evaluate legal and ethical principles and apply them to your decision-making.
Recognize the global importance and contribution of your case.
Construct a coherent summary and explanation of the study.
Demonstrate analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Explain the interrelationships between the environment and nature.
Integrate theory and practice of the discipline within the analysis.

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Case Study Outline

Let's look at the structure of an outline based on the issue of the alcoholic addiction of 30 people.

Introduction

Statement of the issue: Alcoholism is a disease rather than a weakness of character.
Presentation of the problem: Alcoholism is affecting more than 14 million people in the USA, which makes it the third most common mental illness there.
Explanation of the terms: In the past, alcoholism was commonly referred to as alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction. Alcoholism is now the more severe stage of this addiction in the disorder spectrum.
Hypotheses: Drinking in excess can lead to the use of other drugs.
Importance of your story: How the information you present can help people with their addictions.
Background of the story: Include an explanation of why you chose this topic.
Presentation of analysis and data: Describe the criteria for choosing 30 candidates, the structure of the interview, and the outcomes.
Strong argument 1: ex. X% of candidates dealing with anxiety and depression...
Strong argument 2: ex. X amount of people started drinking by their mid-teens.
Strong argument 3: ex. X% of respondents’ parents had issues with alcohol.
Concluding statement: I have researched if alcoholism is a disease and found out that…
Recommendations: Ways and actions for preventing alcohol use.

Writing a Case Study Draft

After you’ve done your case study research and written the outline, it’s time to focus on the draft. In a draft, you have to develop and write your case study by using: the data which you collected throughout the research, interviews, and the analysis processes that were undertaken. 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.
In the introduction, you should set the pace very clearly. You can even raise a question or quote someone you interviewed in the research phase. It must provide adequate background information on the topic. The background may include analyses of previous studies on your topic. Include the aim of your case here as well. Think of it as a thesis statement. The aim must describe the purpose of your work—presenting the issues that you want to tackle. Include background information, such as photos or videos you used when doing the research.
Describe your unique research process, whether it was through interviews, observations, academic journals, etc. The next point includes providing the results of your research. Tell the audience what you found out. Why is this important, and what could be learned from it? Discuss the real implications of the problem and its significance in the world.
Include quotes and data (such as findings, percentages, and awards). This will add a personal touch and better credibility to the case you present. Explain what results you find during your interviews in regards to the problem and how it developed. Also, write about solutions which have already been proposed by other people who have already written about this case.
At the end of your case study, you should offer possible solutions, but don’t worry about solving them yourself.

Use Data to Illustrate Key Points in Your Case Study

Even though your case study is a story, it should be based on evidence. Use as much data as possible to illustrate your point. Without the right data, your case study may appear weak and the readers may not be able to relate to your issue as much as they should. Let's see the examples from essay writing service :

‍ With data: Alcoholism is affecting more than 14 million people in the USA, which makes it the third most common mental illness there. Without data: A lot of people suffer from alcoholism in the United States.

Try to include as many credible sources as possible. You may have terms or sources that could be hard for other cultures to understand. If this is the case, you should include them in the appendix or Notes for the Instructor or Professor.

Finalizing the Draft: Checklist

After you finish drafting your case study, polish it up by answering these ‘ask yourself’ questions and think about how to end your case study:

Check that you follow the correct case study format, also in regards to text formatting.
Check that your work is consistent with its referencing and citation style.
Micro-editing — check for grammar and spelling issues.
Macro-editing — does ‘the big picture’ come across to the reader? Is there enough raw data, such as real-life examples or personal experiences? Have you made your data collection process completely transparent? Does your analysis provide a clear conclusion, allowing for further research and practice?

Problems to avoid:

Overgeneralization – Do not go into further research that deviates from the main problem.
Failure to Document Limitations – Just as you have to clearly state the limitations of a general research study, you must describe the specific limitations inherent in the subject of analysis.
Failure to Extrapolate All Possible Implications – Just as you don't want to over-generalize from your case study findings, you also have to be thorough in the consideration of all possible outcomes or recommendations derived from your findings.

How to Create a Title Page and Cite a Case Study

Let's see how to create an awesome title page.

Your title page depends on the prescribed citation format. The title page should include:

A title that attracts some attention and describes your study
The title should have the words “case study” in it
The title should range between 5-9 words in length
Your name and contact information
Your finished paper should be only 500 to 1,500 words in length.With this type of assignment, write effectively and avoid fluff

Here is a template for the APA and MLA format title page:

There are some cases when you need to cite someone else's study in your own one – therefore, you need to master how to cite a case study. A case study is like a research paper when it comes to citations. You can cite it like you cite a book, depending on what style you need.

Citation Example in MLA ‍ Hill, Linda, Tarun Khanna, and Emily A. Stecker. HCL Technologies. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing, 2008. Print.

Citation Example in APA ‍ Hill, L., Khanna, T., & Stecker, E. A. (2008). HCL Technologies. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing.

Citation Example in Chicago Hill, Linda, Tarun Khanna, and Emily A. Stecker. HCL Technologies.

Case Study Examples

To give you an idea of a professional case study example, we gathered and linked some below.

Eastman Kodak Case Study

Case Study Example: Audi Trains Mexican Autoworkers in Germany

To conclude, a case study is one of the best methods of getting an overview of what happened to a person, a group, or a situation in practice. It allows you to have an in-depth glance at the real-life problems that businesses, healthcare industry, criminal justice, etc. may face. This insight helps us look at such situations in a different light. This is because we see scenarios that we otherwise would not, without necessarily being there. If you need custom essays , try our research paper writing services .

Get Help Form Qualified Writers

Crafting a case study is not easy. You might want to write one of high quality, but you don’t have the time or expertise. If you’re having trouble with your case study, help with essay request - we'll help. EssayPro writers have read and written countless case studies and are experts in endless disciplines. Request essay writing, editing, or proofreading assistance from our custom case study writing service , and all of your worries will be gone.

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How to Write a Policy Analysis Paper Step-by-Step

How to write a case study — examples, templates, and tools

It’s a marketer’s job to communicate the effectiveness of a product or service to potential and current customers to convince them to buy and keep business moving. One of the best methods for doing this is to share success stories that are relatable to prospects and customers based on their pain points, experiences, and overall needs.

That’s where case studies come in. Case studies are an essential part of a content marketing plan. These in-depth stories of customer experiences are some of the most effective at demonstrating the value of a product or service. Yet many marketers don’t use them, whether because of their regimented formats or the process of customer involvement and approval.

A case study is a powerful tool for showcasing your hard work and the success your customer achieved. But writing a great case study can be difficult if you’ve never done it before or if it’s been a while. This guide will show you how to write an effective case study and provide real-world examples and templates that will keep readers engaged and support your business.

In this article, you’ll learn:

What is a case study?

How to write a case study, case study templates, case study examples, case study tools.

A case study is the detailed story of a customer’s experience with a product or service that demonstrates their success and often includes measurable outcomes. Case studies are used in a range of fields and for various reasons, from business to academic research. They’re especially impactful in marketing as brands work to convince and convert consumers with relatable, real-world stories of actual customer experiences.

The best case studies tell the story of a customer’s success, including the steps they took, the results they achieved, and the support they received from a brand along the way. To write a great case study, you need to:

Celebrate the customer and make them — not a product or service — the star of the story.
Craft the story with specific audiences or target segments in mind so that the story of one customer will be viewed as relatable and actionable for another customer.
Write copy that is easy to read and engaging so that readers will gain the insights and messages intended.
Follow a standardized format that includes all of the essentials a potential customer would find interesting and useful.
Support all of the claims for success made in the story with data in the forms of hard numbers and customer statements.

Case studies are a type of review but more in depth, aiming to show — rather than just tell — the positive experiences that customers have with a brand. Notably, 89% of consumers read reviews before deciding to buy, and 79% view case study content as part of their purchasing process. When it comes to B2B sales, 52% of buyers rank case studies as an important part of their evaluation process.

Telling a brand story through the experience of a tried-and-true customer matters. The story is relatable to potential new customers as they imagine themselves in the shoes of the company or individual featured in the case study. Showcasing previous customers can help new ones see themselves engaging with your brand in the ways that are most meaningful to them.

Besides sharing the perspective of another customer, case studies stand out from other content marketing forms because they are based on evidence. Whether pulling from client testimonials or data-driven results, case studies tend to have more impact on new business because the story contains information that is both objective (data) and subjective (customer experience) — and the brand doesn’t sound too self-promotional.

89% of consumers read reviews before buying, 79% view case studies, and 52% of B2B buyers prioritize case studies in the evaluation process.

Case studies are unique in that there’s a fairly standardized format for telling a customer’s story. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for creativity. It’s all about making sure that teams are clear on the goals for the case study — along with strategies for supporting content and channels — and understanding how the story fits within the framework of the company’s overall marketing goals.

Here are the basic steps to writing a good case study.

1. Identify your goal

Start by defining exactly who your case study will be designed to help. Case studies are about specific instances where a company works with a customer to achieve a goal. Identify which customers are likely to have these goals, as well as other needs the story should cover to appeal to them.

The answer is often found in one of the buyer personas that have been constructed as part of your larger marketing strategy. This can include anything from new leads generated by the marketing team to long-term customers that are being pressed for cross-sell opportunities. In all of these cases, demonstrating value through a relatable customer success story can be part of the solution to conversion.

2. Choose your client or subject

Who you highlight matters. Case studies tie brands together that might otherwise not cross paths. A writer will want to ensure that the highlighted customer aligns with their own company’s brand identity and offerings. Look for a customer with positive name recognition who has had great success with a product or service and is willing to be an advocate.

The client should also match up with the identified target audience. Whichever company or individual is selected should be a reflection of other potential customers who can see themselves in similar circumstances, having the same problems and possible solutions.

Some of the most compelling case studies feature customers who:

Switch from one product or service to another while naming competitors that missed the mark.
Experience measurable results that are relatable to others in a specific industry.
Represent well-known brands and recognizable names that are likely to compel action.
Advocate for a product or service as a champion and are well-versed in its advantages.

Whoever or whatever customer is selected, marketers must ensure they have the permission of the company involved before getting started. Some brands have strict review and approval procedures for any official marketing or promotional materials that include their name. Acquiring those approvals in advance will prevent any miscommunication or wasted effort if there is an issue with their legal or compliance teams.

3. Conduct research and compile data

Substantiating the claims made in a case study — either by the marketing team or customers themselves — adds validity to the story. To do this, include data and feedback from the client that defines what success looks like. This can be anything from demonstrating return on investment (ROI) to a specific metric the customer was striving to improve. Case studies should prove how an outcome was achieved and show tangible results that indicate to the customer that your solution is the right one.

This step could also include customer interviews. Make sure that the people being interviewed are key stakeholders in the purchase decision or deployment and use of the product or service that is being highlighted. Content writers should work off a set list of questions prepared in advance. It can be helpful to share these with the interviewees beforehand so they have time to consider and craft their responses. One of the best interview tactics to keep in mind is to ask questions where yes and no are not natural answers. This way, your subject will provide more open-ended responses that produce more meaningful content.

4. Choose the right format

There are a number of different ways to format a case study. Depending on what you hope to achieve, one style will be better than another. However, there are some common elements to include, such as:

An engaging headline
A subject and customer introduction
The unique challenge or challenges the customer faced
The solution the customer used to solve the problem
The results achieved
Data and statistics to back up claims of success
A strong call to action (CTA) to engage with the vendor

It’s also important to note that while case studies are traditionally written as stories, they don’t have to be in a written format. Some companies choose to get more creative with their case studies and produce multimedia content, depending on their audience and objectives. Case study formats can include traditional print stories, interactive web or social content, data-heavy infographics, professionally shot videos, podcasts, and more.

5. Write your case study

We’ll go into more detail later about how exactly to write a case study, including templates and examples. Generally speaking, though, there are a few things to keep in mind when writing your case study.

Be clear and concise. Readers want to get to the point of the story quickly and easily, and they’ll be looking to see themselves reflected in the story right from the start.
Provide a big picture. Always make sure to explain who the client is, their goals, and how they achieved success in a short introduction to engage the reader.
Construct a clear narrative. Stick to the story from the perspective of the customer and what they needed to solve instead of just listing product features or benefits.
Leverage graphics. Incorporating infographics, charts, and sidebars can be a more engaging and eye-catching way to share key statistics and data in readable ways.
Offer the right amount of detail. Most case studies are one or two pages with clear sections that a reader can skim to find the information most important to them.
Include data to support claims. Show real results — both facts and figures and customer quotes — to demonstrate credibility and prove the solution works.

6. Promote your story

Marketers have a number of options for distribution of a freshly minted case study. Many brands choose to publish case studies on their website and post them on social media. This can help support SEO and organic content strategies while also boosting company credibility and trust as visitors see that other businesses have used the product or service.

Marketers are always looking for quality content they can use for lead generation. Consider offering a case study as gated content behind a form on a landing page or as an offer in an email message. One great way to do this is to summarize the content and tease the full story available for download after the user takes an action.

Sales teams can also leverage case studies, so be sure they are aware that the assets exist once they’re published. Especially when it comes to larger B2B sales, companies often ask for examples of similar customer challenges that have been solved.

Now that you’ve learned a bit about case studies and what they should include, you may be wondering how to start creating great customer story content. Here are a couple of templates you can use to structure your case study.

Template 1 — Challenge-solution-result format

Start with an engaging title. This should be fewer than 70 characters long for SEO best practices. One of the best ways to approach the title is to include the customer’s name and a hint at the challenge they overcame in the end.
Create an introduction. Lead with an explanation as to who the customer is, the need they had, and the opportunity they found with a specific product or solution. Writers can also suggest the success the customer experienced with the solution they chose.
Present the challenge. This should be several paragraphs long and explain the problem the customer faced and the issues they were trying to solve. Details should tie into the company’s products and services naturally. This section needs to be the most relatable to the reader so they can picture themselves in a similar situation.
Share the solution. Explain which product or service offered was the ideal fit for the customer and why. Feel free to delve into their experience setting up, purchasing, and onboarding the solution.
Explain the results. Demonstrate the impact of the solution they chose by backing up their positive experience with data. Fill in with customer quotes and tangible, measurable results that show the effect of their choice.
Ask for action. Include a CTA at the end of the case study that invites readers to reach out for more information, try a demo, or learn more — to nurture them further in the marketing pipeline. What you ask of the reader should tie directly into the goals that were established for the case study in the first place.

Template 2 — Data-driven format

Start with an engaging title. Be sure to include a statistic or data point in the first 70 characters. Again, it’s best to include the customer’s name as part of the title.
Create an overview. Share the customer’s background and a short version of the challenge they faced. Present the reason a particular product or service was chosen, and feel free to include quotes from the customer about their selection process.
Present data point 1. Isolate the first metric that the customer used to define success and explain how the product or solution helped to achieve this goal. Provide data points and quotes to substantiate the claim that success was achieved.
Present data point 2. Isolate the second metric that the customer used to define success and explain what the product or solution did to achieve this goal. Provide data points and quotes to substantiate the claim that success was achieved.
Present data point 3. Isolate the final metric that the customer used to define success and explain what the product or solution did to achieve this goal. Provide data points and quotes to substantiate the claim that success was achieved.
Summarize the results. Reiterate the fact that the customer was able to achieve success thanks to a specific product or service. Include quotes and statements that reflect customer satisfaction and suggest they plan to continue using the solution.
Ask for action. Include a CTA at the end of the case study that asks readers to reach out for more information, try a demo, or learn more — to further nurture them in the marketing pipeline. Again, remember that this is where marketers can look to convert their content into action with the customer.

While templates are helpful, seeing a case study in action can also be a great way to learn. Here are some examples of how Adobe customers have experienced success.

Juniper Networks

One example is the Adobe and Juniper Networks case study , which puts the reader in the customer’s shoes. The beginning of the story quickly orients the reader so that they know exactly who the article is about and what they were trying to achieve. Solutions are outlined in a way that shows Adobe Experience Manager is the best choice and a natural fit for the customer. Along the way, quotes from the client are incorporated to help add validity to the statements. The results in the case study are conveyed with clear evidence of scale and volume using tangible data.

The story of Lenovo’s journey with Adobe is one that spans years of planning, implementation, and rollout. The Lenovo case study does a great job of consolidating all of this into a relatable journey that other enterprise organizations can see themselves taking, despite the project size. This case study also features descriptive headers and compelling visual elements that engage the reader and strengthen the content.

Tata Consulting

When it comes to using data to show customer results, this case study does an excellent job of conveying details and numbers in an easy-to-digest manner. Bullet points at the start break up the content while also helping the reader understand exactly what the case study will be about. Tata Consulting used Adobe to deliver elevated, engaging content experiences for a large telecommunications client of its own — an objective that’s relatable for a lot of companies.

Case studies are a vital tool for any marketing team as they enable you to demonstrate the value of your company’s products and services to others. They help marketers do their job and add credibility to a brand trying to promote its solutions by using the experiences and stories of real customers.

When you’re ready to get started with a case study:

Think about a few goals you’d like to accomplish with your content.
Make a list of successful clients that would be strong candidates for a case study.
Reach out to the client to get their approval and conduct an interview.
Gather the data to present an engaging and effective customer story.

Adobe can help

There are several Adobe products that can help you craft compelling case studies. Adobe Experience Platform helps you collect data and deliver great customer experiences across every channel. Once you’ve created your case studies, Experience Platform will help you deliver the right information to the right customer at the right time for maximum impact.

To learn more, watch the Adobe Experience Platform story .

Keep in mind that the best case studies are backed by data. That’s where Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Platform and Adobe Analytics come into play. With Real-Time CDP, you can gather the data you need to build a great case study and target specific customers to deliver the content to the right audience at the perfect moment.

Watch the Real-Time CDP overview video to learn more.

Finally, Adobe Analytics turns real-time data into real-time insights. It helps your business collect and synthesize data from multiple platforms to make more informed decisions and create the best case study possible.

Request a demo to learn more about Adobe Analytics.

https://business.adobe.com/blog/perspectives/b2b-ecommerce-10-case-studies-inspire-you

https://business.adobe.com/blog/basics/business-case

https://business.adobe.com/blog/basics/what-is-real-time-analytics

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A Quick Guide to Writing Case Study Replies

Table of Contents

Case studies are a part of academe life. They’re usually given as assignments to help students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Writing a case study reply is a challenging task. But with this guide on how to write a case study reply , it can be easier. We’ve covered everything from what case studies are and how you can write a clear and comprehensive one to how to structure it properly. With our advice and guidance, you’ll have all the tools to tackle even the most complex case studies.

What is a Case Study?

A case study is a method of research used to investigate complex issues in real-world contexts . These are often used in academic settings as well as in business. They help inform decision-making processes, solve complex problems, and identify potential solutions. Case studies can use qualitative and quantitative data gathered from multiple sources, such as:

Focus groups
Archival documents
Observations
Experiments, and so on

All of these data-gathering methods aim to gain a better understanding of the subject at hand.

person wearing yellow sweater writing with white pen in notebook

How to Write a Case Study Reply

Read the case study carefully.

Carefully read the case study and ensure that you have a clear understanding of the situation presented. Take note of any essential elements or details mentioned in the report. Doing this will help you choose the best approach for your recommendation or solution. It’s also good to ask questions if anything seems unclear or if you need more information.

Identify the Main Issues

After reading through the case study, you should have a better understanding of the problem being addressed. Now it’s time to begin identifying the main issues involved. This could include identifying areas where there may be an ethical dilemma, determining the problem cause, or analyzing different scenarios. Taking some time to brainstorm potential solutions can help when formulating your response.

Link Theory to Practice

In responding to a case study, it is essential to link theory to practice by applying academic concepts and research-backed data. Doing so allows for more comprehensive responses that demonstrate knowledge in both theory and application. This may require further research into related topics or subjects to ensure accuracy in using appropriate language and terms.

Plan Your Response

Once you have identified the main issues and linked them to existing theories, it is time to plan out your response. This includes:

Creating an outline of what will be discussed
Researching relevant resources
Developing arguments to support your claim
Gathering evidence to back up your claims

Start Drafting Your Response

Now it’s time to start putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Your response will include three parts, the introduction, body, and conclusion. Read on below to know what each part should consist of.

Structure of a Case Study Reply

Introduction.

The introduction should provide an overview of the case study and introduce any relevant background information. It should be engaging and explain why this topic is significant. Here are some questions that your introduction needs to address:

What is the context or focus of the case study?
What key areas will the response cover, and in what order?
What conclusions have been reached? This is, generally, the thesis statement.

The body of the response should address the main points outlined in the introduction. Dive into the details by discussing relevant facts and examples about the case study. Here are some tips to guide you in writing the body of your response:

Each paragraph should focus only on one main idea.
Organize your points in a logical order.
Make a clear link between the end of one paragraph and the beginning of the next paragraph.

The conclusion should bring together all of the ideas expressed throughout the response. It should also explain how those points work together to illustrate the importance of the topic.

Case studies are a great way to explore complex topics in depth, improving their understanding of the subject . When tasked with writing a case study reply, it is vital to come prepared with the necessary data. This will help you provide a clear and complete response. Follow these steps on how to write a case study reply to get started!

A Quick Guide to Writing Case Study Replies

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Research Writing and Analysis

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Writing a Case Study

What is a case study?

A Map of the world with hands holding a pen.

A Case study is:

An in-depth research design that primarily uses a qualitative methodology but sometimes includes quantitative methodology.
Used to examine an identifiable problem confirmed through research.
Used to investigate an individual, group of people, organization, or event.
Used to mostly answer "how" and "why" questions.

What are the different types of case studies?

Note: These are the primary case studies. As you continue to research and learn

about case studies you will begin to find a robust list of different types.

Who are your case study participants?

What is triangulation ?

Validity and credibility are an essential part of the case study. Therefore, the researcher should include triangulation to ensure trustworthiness while accurately reflecting what the researcher seeks to investigate.

How to write a Case Study?

When developing a case study, there are different ways you could present the information, but remember to include the five parts for your case study.

Man holding his hand out to show five fingers.

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Why Are Case Studies Important? Top 4 Reasons

Updated February 2023: Has a boss or colleague ever asked you, “Why are case studies so important?” This is a question all SaaS marketers must be able to answer, especially when it comes time to create your marketing budget for the year.

SaaS case studies are the #1 marketing tactic to increase sales

The importance of a case study can’t be underestimated. For the second year in a row, SaaS marketers ranked case studies the #1 most effective marketing tactic to increase sales —ahead of general website content, SEO, blog posts, social media and other marketing tactics.

Marketers rank case studies at #1 most important marketing tactic to increase sales

These metrics come from the 123 SaaS marketers we surveyed for our 2023 SaaS Case Studies Trends & Insights Report . (We’d encourage you to check out the report.)

Importance of a case study is undeniable

Why are case studies so important? What is the need and significance of a case study? Case studies are top-tier marketing tools for SaaS companies to showcase the value of their products to potential customers, helping to drive sales and revenue.

Customers are our best marketers. I love getting to know our customers through these stories, especially because documenting their successes helps advance their careers and gives more senior leaders the chance to celebrate their teams.

Why are case studies important in marketing?

Case studies are essentially a play-by-play of how your customer recognized that they had a challenge they needed to overcome, why they chose you, what products or services you provided, and how those products or services helped them solve their challenge.

And what makes case studies even more valuable? They’re a great investment because case studies can be repurposed so heavily —everything from PDFs and videos to infographics to social.

In this post, we’ll demonstrate the importance of a case study in business and discuss the top 4 advantages of using case studies in your marketing mix.

Need a hand with writing case studies? We are a SaaS content marketing agency that specializes in writing case studies for companies like ClickUp, WalkMe and LeanData. Check out our case study writing services .

What are 4 advantages of case studies?

1. case studies demonstrate your expertise in your niche.

As a SaaS marketer, your job is to know how to produce a business case study in a way that makes your product or service stand out among your competitors.

Creating case studies is an effective way to capture the attention of buyers in your industry because the content—including the products, services and use cases covered in the piece—will be highly relevant to your target audience and will therefore have a strong chance of resonating with them.

If you’re still wondering, “Why are case studies important?”, then put yourself in your buyer’s shoes. Say you’re evaluating several different customer relationship management (CRM) platforms. All three vendors have an eye-catching website with informative and clever product copy, but only one has a repository of case studies that illustrate how its clients have landed 50% more sales since they’ve implemented this particular CRM. Sounds like a winner to us (and it demonstrates case study importance)!

Case studies are important because our prospects want to see that we’ve helped customers who are in the same industry and have similar pain points. Reference calls are helpful, but it’s important to have stories that sales folks can share easily.

2. Case studies provide social proof in an original way

What is the importance of a case study? Well, nearly 90% of consumers read product reviews before they make a purchase, which means gathering and publishing social proof is a crucial activity for your SaaS company.

Changing consumer behavior is another reason why case studies are important. Case studies give your readers what they’re looking for, which is confirmation from other B2B buyers just like them that your products and services are the real deal.

Another advantage of case studies is that by nature, they’re original stories about individuals with specific challenges and goals. Knowing how to write a case study that goes beyond generic product reviews is critical.

When writing a case study, dig deep into everything from how your team helps customers implement your software to what your customer’s future use cases could include. This type of content gives your prospect thorough insight into what it’s like to use your products and work with your company.

Case studies offer social proof for how we provide value to our customers. Our sales team uses our case studies to build credibility and offer “proof points” for why (and how) Crossbeam can solve their problems.

3. Case studies help your SaaS company close sales

Let’s quickly recap the last 2 points:

1) Case studies capture your buyers’ attention with highly relevant content that positions your SaaS company as an expert in the products or services you deliver.

2) Case studies also build trust by sharing social proof in an interesting format that uses storytelling to weave a narrative. For those two reasons, case studies are fantastic content marketing tools to help you close sales.

In addition, especially if your offerings are complex, it’s essential to help potential customers understand how your software will meet their needs. Case studies give you an opportunity to explain— with real-world examples and visual aids —the more complicated aspects of your products and services.

Case studies are important because they provide real-life examples of positive customer outcomes and sentiment—a critical part of gaining buy-in from prospects during a sales cycle.

4. Strengthen customer relationships

If you’re hesitant to ask your customers to participate in case studies, you’re not alone. It’s normal to feel like you might be imposing on a customer by asking them to take time out of their busy schedule for an interview, but chances are they’d be happy to help you craft a case study to illustrate your mutual success working together.

When it comes to the question, “Why are case studies important?”, one of the best answers is that they can help you strengthen customer relationships by letting your customers know you believe they have a valuable story. This gesture of goodwill can increase customer retention, which can in turn grow your SaaS company’s revenue by as much as 95% .

Case studies are important because they give you the opportunity to celebrate an existing customer, which in and of itself is of immense value. Secondarily, for both customers and prospects alike, they always prefer to “see someone like them” rather than just hear you spew what-ifs at them.

Need a hand with your case studies ?

Now that you understand why case studies are so important, it’s time to take action—and we can help.

As a SaaS content marketing agency , we write case studies for high-growth B2B SaaS companies like ClickUp, WalkMe and Okta. Check out our case study writing service then get in touch.

As the founder of Uplift Content, Emily leads her team in creating done-for-you case studies, ebooks and blog posts for high-growth SaaS companies like ClickUp, Calendly and WalkMe. Connect with Emily on Linkedin

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Learn from Emily’s 17 years of aha moments, mistakes, observations, and insights—and find out how you can apply these lessons to your own marketing efforts.

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A203 Journal Research and Case Studies Tasks/Questions 1. What is...

A203 Journal Research and Case Studies Tasks/Questions

1. What is your version of "The America I Believe In?" RESPONSE -

2. Do all Americans hold the same beliefs and ideals about the United States of America? Explain. RESPONSE -

3. How do you think GEN Powell knew about his family history? It wasn't firsthand experience. RESPONSE -

4. How can understanding past experiences develop you as leader? RESPONSE -

5. Describe an instance where you or another NCO were required to conduct research using a case study during the commission of your duties as an NCO. RESPONSE -

6. Why do we write case study responses? RESPONSE -

7. What should you consider when conducting research? RESPONSE -

8. Why should you not expect Internet search engines to find everything about your chosen topic? RESPONSE -

9. What reasons do you suppose brick-and-mortar libraries and library online resources are considered better resources than the world-wide web for researching civilian topics? RESPONSE -

10. Describe ways you could check military references to determine if they are current and not outdated? RESPONSE -

11. So what is the process for writing a case study analysis? RESPONSE - How should you draft a case study analysis? RESPONSE -

12. As a squad leader, think of a problem at your organization where a case study analysis might help solve that problem? Please elaborate. RESPONSE - 13. Army leaders are constantly solving problems. How could analyzing case studies help you accomplish solving problems? RESPONSE -

14. What types of case studies might you use at your organization as part of your duties as a squad leader? RESPONSE -

Answer & Explanation

1. What is your version of "The America I Believe In?"

"The America I believe in" is a nation founded on principles of equality, justice, and respect for all people. It is a nation that strives to build bridges and foster understanding between individuals and communities of diverse backgrounds. It is a nation that leads the world in innovation, education, and opportunity. It is a nation that is dedicated to the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness. It is a nation that works to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of its citizens. It is a nation that is compassionate and generous, and that works to make the world a better place. And, above all, it is a nation that is united in its commitment to these ideals.

2. Do all Americans hold the same beliefs and ideals about the United States of America?

No, all Americans do not hold the same beliefs and ideals about the United States of America. The US is a large and diverse nation, with a wide range of opinions, cultures, and backgrounds. People have different perspectives on the role of government, the economy, civil rights, and social issues, among other topics. This diversity is part of what makes the US unique and is an important part of democracy.

3. How do you think Gen. Powell knew about his family history? It wasn't a firsthand experience.

General Colin Powell likely discovered his family history through a combination of research, interviews, and conversations with his family members. He may have used historical records, newspaper articles, or other archival sources to trace his family's lineage. He also may have sought out family members to learn more about his ancestors and their lives. Additionally, he may have used genealogical databases and tools to help him fill in the gaps in his family's history.

4. How can understanding past experiences develop you as a leader?

Understanding past experiences can help develop leaders by providing them with the tools and insights to make informed decisions. By reflecting on events that have happened in the past, leaders can gain a better understanding of the context and implications of their decisions. They can also be better informed of the potential consequences of their decisions and the potential risks associated with them. Additionally, reflecting on past experiences can help leaders develop empathy and build relationships with those they lead, as well as provide them with a deeper understanding of the people, processes, and systems that are involved in their work.

5. Describe an instance where you or another NCO were required to conduct research using a case study during the commission of your duties as an NCO.

As an NCO, one was required to conduct research using a case study while in charge of developing a training program for a group of newly promoted NCOs. He used a case study of a successful program that had been implemented in a similar unit in order to understand the best practices for developing a successful training program for the new NCOs. He then conducted research by studying the case study, analyzing the various components of the program, and determining the best strategies for implementation. By using the case study as a resource, he was able to create a training program that was tailored to the needs of the unit and was successful in preparing the new NCOs for their new duties. *(I just used the third-person point of view for this. Just replace "he" with "I.")

6. Why do we write case study responses?

Case study responses are written to provide an in-depth analysis of a particular problem or issue. Case study responses explore the complexities of a situation and provide a comprehensive overview of the possible solutions. They are used to evaluate a person's or organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and the implications of their decisions. The information collected from the case study response can be used to draw conclusions, identify potential improvements, and suggest further recommendations.

7. What should you consider when conducting research?

Determine the purpose of your research and the questions you want to answer.
Develop a research plan that outlines the steps you will take to collect data.
Gather and analyze data from a variety of sources.
Consider ethical issues such as confidentiality and consent.
Document your sources and methods. Interpret your findings and draw conclusions.
Present your research in a clear and concise manner.

8. Why should you not expect Internet search engines to find everything about your chosen topic?

Internet search engines are limited in their ability to provide comprehensive information on a given topic. Search engines rely on algorithms to scan the web for content that is relevant to the search query. This means that search engine results are often limited to web pages that have been properly indexed and optimized for search. Additionally, the search results are often biased by the search engine's algorithm, which can sometimes obscure certain results or prioritize certain results over others. As a result, it is not possible to expect Internet search engines to find everything about a given topic.

9. What reasons do you suppose brick-and-mortar libraries and library online resources are considered better resources than the world wide web for researching civilian topics?

Libraries and library online resources have been carefully curated and evaluated by qualified librarians, who have selected the most reliable and up-to-date sources on a given topic. This is in contrast to the vastness of websites available on the internet, which may be outdated, inaccurate, or contain biased information.
Libraries and library online resources often provide access to more comprehensive databases of information than the World Wide Web. Libraries have access to a wide variety of databases that are not available to the general public, such as databases containing academic journals and research articles.
Libraries and library online resources provide access to materials that may not be available on the web. These materials may include physical books, periodicals, microfilm, and government documents.

10. Describe ways you could check military references to determine if they are current and not outdated?

Contact the military base the reference is affiliated with and inquire about their current status.
Request a copy of the reference's current military ID or identification card.
Request a letter of recommendation or reference from the reference's commanding officer or other personnel with knowledge of their service.
Verify the length of time the reference has been in the military and their current rank.
Contact the reference's commanding officer and ask questions about their background and service record.
Check the reference's name in the military's personnel database to confirm they are currently enlisted.

11. So what is the process for writing a case study analysis? How should you draft a case study analysis?

Identify the key issues: Read through the case study and identify the key issues. These can be related to the facts of the case, the people involved, and the context of the case.
Analyze the case: Analyze the case by looking at the facts, the people, and the context. Identify the causes and effects of the key issues, and look for any possible solutions or recommendations for the future.
Develop a plan of action: Based on the analysis of the case, develop a plan of action for addressing the key issues. Consider possible solutions, and consider the risks and benefits of each option.
Outline the solution: Outline the proposed solution to the key issues. Include details about the steps to be taken, the timeline for the plan of action, and the resources needed.
Evaluate the results: After the plan of action has been implemented, evaluate the results. This can involve looking at the results achieved, the cost of the plan, and any other factors that may be relevant.
Write the case study analysis : Finally, write up the case study analysis. Include an introduction, an analysis of the key issues, and the proposed solution.

12. As a squad leader, think of a problem at your organization where a case study analysis might help solve that problem. Please elaborate.

One problem in an organization that a case study analysis might help solve is the lack of effective communication and collaboration between squad members. In order to effectively solve this problem, a case study analysis could be conducted to gain insight into why communication and collaboration between squad members are lacking. A case study analysis would involve interviewing squad members to understand the root causes of the problem and looking at the various communication and collaboration methods used by the squad. Additionally, a case study analysis could provide insight into the various organizational and cultural factors that might be impacting the squad's ability to effectively communicate and collaborate. With this information, the squad leader could then develop a plan to improve communication and collaboration between squad members.

13. Army leaders are constantly solving problems. How could analyzing case studies help you accomplish solving problems?

Analyzing case studies can help leaders better understand the context and nuances of the problem they are trying to solve. By studying the successes and failures of others, leaders can gain insights into how to approach the problem, what strategies have worked or failed in similar situations, and how to develop the most effective solution. Case studies can provide valuable information and help them make informed decisions. They can also help identify potential risks, provide a better understanding of the bigger picture, and develop a more comprehensive solution.

14. What types of case studies might you use at your organization as part of your duties as a squad leader?

Success Story: A case study featuring a successful project or initiative that your team has been involved in.
Best Practices: A case study outlining the best practices that your team has used to achieve success.
Failure Analysis: A case study outlining the failures of a particular project or initiative and the lessons learned from it.
Process Improvement: A case study outlining how your team has implemented a process improvement initiative.
Innovation: A case study featuring a particularly innovative approach taken by your team to solve a problem or achieve a goal.
Culture Change: A case study outlining how your team has fostered a culture of innovation and progress
Collaboration: A case study outlining how your team has effectively collaborated with other teams to achieve success.

If this is helpful, please don't hesitate to give it a thumbs up, and a positive comment is greatly appreciated. Thank you, dear student.

References:

LibGuides: How to Do Research: A Step-By-Step Guide: Get Started . (n.d.). https://libguides.elmira.edu/research

Basic Steps in the Research Process | North Hennepin Community College . (n.d.). https://www.nhcc.edu/academics/library/doing-library-research/basic-steps-research-process

https://papersowl.com/blog/how-to-write-a-case-study-analysis

McCombes, S. (2022, December 19). What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods . Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/case-study/

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COMMENTS

Analyzing and Responding to a Case Study
A case study is composed to elicit a response. Case studies are teaching tools designed to encourage students to respond in a certain way. Consequently, case studies are open-ended. Not only do they contain information to support various different points, but there are also certain pieces of information missing to create room for student responses.
QUT cite|write
Before you start writing, you need to carefully read the case study and make a note of the main issues and problems involved as well as the main stakeholders (persons or groups of persons who have an interest in the case). Case study elements. A case study response would include the following elements: Introduction. Introduce the main purpose ...
PDF Responding to a Case Study
Steps in Responding to a Case Study. These are a number of steps you should follow when writing a response to a case study: 1. Read the Case Study and Question Carefully. In this step, you should highlight any points that you think are important. While it might seem like an obvious step it is often skipped or rushed.
How to Write an Effective Case Study: Examples & Templates
Case study examples. Case studies are proven marketing strategies in a wide variety of B2B industries. Here are just a few examples of a case study: Amazon Web Services, Inc. provides companies with cloud computing platforms and APIs on a metered, pay-as-you-go basis.
Writing a Case Study
The purpose of a paper in the social sciences designed around a case study is to thoroughly investigate a subject of analysis in order to reveal a new understanding about the research problem and, in so doing, contributing new knowledge to what is already known from previous studies. In applied social sciences disciplines [e.g., education, social work, public administration, etc.], case ...
What Is a Case Study?
Revised on November 20, 2023. 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. A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods, but quantitative methods are ...
Case Study Method: A Step-by-Step Guide for Business Researchers
Case study reporting is as important as empirical material collection and interpretation. The quality of a case study does not only depend on the empirical material collection and analysis but also on its reporting (Denzin & Lincoln, 1998). A sound report structure, along with "story-like" writing is crucial to case study reporting.
WS1006 Self in Professional Helping Guide: Case Study Response
The overall case study response could have been strengthened by including linking sentences from one paragraph to the next. The 'use-of-self' in Social Work practise has been described as a deliberate and conscious use of oneself, becoming the medium through which knowledge, skills and attitudes are conveyed (Reupert, 2006).
Writing a Case Study Analysis
A case study analysis requires you to investigate a business problem, examine the alternative solutions, and propose the most effective solution using supporting evidence. Preparing the Case. Before you begin writing, follow these guidelines to help you prepare and understand the case study: Read and Examine the Case Thoroughly
Case Study
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). Sometimes a case study will also collect quantitative data. Example: Mixed methods case study. For a case study of a wind farm development in a ...
What the Case Study Method Really Teaches
Beyond teaching specific subject matter, the case study method excels in instilling meta-skills in students. This article explains the importance of seven such skills: preparation, discernment ...
How to Write Case Studies and Why Do You Need Them?
Step 9: Publish the results. Specificity is a crucial part of a case study presentation, so be sure to use numbers, reports, and graphs. If the results of your work are tangible and measurable (an erected house, a functional website, or a formed staff of new employees), describe and show them.
Writing a Case Analysis Paper
To avoid any confusion, here are twelve characteristics that delineate the differences between writing a paper using the case study research method and writing a case analysis paper: Case study is a method of in-depth research and rigorous inquiry; case analysis is a reliable method of teaching and learning. A case study is a modality of ...
Case Study: Definition, Examples, Types, and How to Write
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 many different fields, including psychology, medicine, education, anthropology, political science, and social work.
How to Write a Case Study: from Outline to Examples
Explain what you will examine in the case study. Write an overview of the field you're researching. Make a thesis statement and sum up the results of your observation in a maximum of 2 sentences. Background. Provide background information and the most relevant facts. Isolate the issues.
How to write a case study
Case study examples. While templates are helpful, seeing a case study in action can also be a great way to learn. Here are some examples of how Adobe customers have experienced success. Juniper Networks. One example is the Adobe and Juniper Networks case study, which puts the reader in the customer's shoes.
How to Write a Case Study: A Step-by-Step Guide (+ Examples)
The five case studies listed below are well-written, well-designed, and incorporate a time-tested structure. 1. Lane Terralever and Pinnacle at Promontory. This case study example from Lane Terralever incorporates images to support the content and effectively uses subheadings to make the piece scannable. 2.
A Quick Guide to Writing Case Study Replies
Body. The body of the response should address the main points outlined in the introduction. Dive into the details by discussing relevant facts and examples about the case study. Here are some tips to guide you in writing the body of your response: Each paragraph should focus only on one main idea. Organize your points in a logical order.
LibGuides: Research Writing and Analysis: Case Study
A Case study is: An in-depth research design that primarily uses a qualitative methodology but sometimes includes quantitative methodology. Used to examine an identifiable problem confirmed through research. Used to investigate an individual, group of people, organization, or event. Used to mostly answer "how" and "why" questions.
How To Write a Case Study: Definition, Tips and Example
A case study is a document that focuses on a business problem and provides a clear solution. Marketers use case studies to tell a story about a customer's journey or how a product or service solves a specific issue. Case studies can be used in all levels of business and in many industries. A thorough case study often uses metrics, such as key ...
How to Write a Case Study (+10 Examples & Free Template!)
1. Make it as easy as possible for the client. Just like when asking for reviews, it's important to make the process as clear and easy as possible for the client. When you reach out, ask if you can use their story of achievement as a case study for your business. Make the details as clear as possible, including:
Why Are Case Studies Important? Top 4 Reasons
Need a hand with your case studies? Now that you understand why case studies are so important, it's time to take action—and we can help. As a SaaS content marketing agency, we write case studies for high-growth B2B SaaS companies like ClickUp, WalkMe and Okta. Check out our case study writing service then get in touch.
A203 Journal Research and Case Studies Tasks/Questions 1 ...
Why do we write case study responses? Case study responses are written to provide an in-depth analysis of a particular problem or issue. Case study responses explore the complexities of a situation and provide a comprehensive overview of the possible solutions. They are used to evaluate a person's or organization's strengths, weaknesses ...

How to write a case study response

Case study elements

Introduction

Description

Conclusion / Recommendations

Further information

Global links and information

Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners

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What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods

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WS1006 Self in Professional Helping Guide: Case Study Response

WS1006 case study response writing resources

Essay writing basics part 1

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Instructions: Mouse over the text below to see annotations giving explanations and information on the writing process, parts of a blog post, in-text citations and referencing.

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Case Study | Definition, Examples & Methods

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What the Case Study Method Really Teaches

Partner Center

What are case studies and why are readers so fond of them?

Who needs case studies the most?

4 reasons why your website should have case studies

They attract new potential customers

This is what a successful case study does for you

They raise customers’ loyalty to the brand

They convert leads into buyers (Bingo!)

What to write about in case studies?

A major contract signed

Significant increase in profits

A common problem solved in a non-standard way

A new product/service launched (or an existing one noticeably improved)

A fatal flaw that gave you invaluable experience

How to write a business case study: a step by step guide

Step 1: Pick a project worthy of your case study

Step 2: Make a clear plan

Step 3: Come up with an attention-grabbing title

Step 4: Give a short summary of the project

Step 5: Illustrate the input data

Step 6: Provide initial data

Step 7: Describe the solution

Step 9: Publish the results

Step 10: Tell about the client’s future plans (optional)

Step 11: Create a strong call-to-action (optional)

Case study examples

LeadGnome case: automated email marketing for Host Analytics

LevelEleven case: boosting selling activities for Staples

Sum up: tips for creating a case study

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Definition and Introduction

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Structure and Writing Style

Writing Tip

What Is a Case Study?

What Types of Case Studies Are Out There?

At a Glance

What Are the Benefits and Limitations of Case Studies?

Case Study Examples

Section 1: A Case History

Section 2: Treatment Plan

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Types of Case Studies

Case Study Format