How to Do a Case Study

A case study is an inquiry into an event by either an individual or an organization. It is

produced through systematic research, analysis and reporting. Case studies cite
professional or scientific sources and they are often used in developing new procedures
in marketing, medicine and technology. They are designed to ask the questions "how"
and "why" of an event, procedure or phenomena. If you are about to begin a case study,
it is important that you devote plenty of time to accurate data gathering and analysis.
Case studies can take place over a few weeks to a few years. Read more to find out
how to do a case study.
Steps
1.
1
Develop your research question. This may be given to you in advance by a professor
or employer, or you may develop it on your own. Make sure the question is specific and
can be analyzed by scientific or modern research methods.
Do not choose a question that is inherently subjective. For example, instead of a
question like "What is the favorite social media website for people aged 18 to 20?" you
may want to use "What is the most visited social media website for people aged 18 to
20."
Case studies are classified into different categories. An instrumental case study will
seek to find a deeper understanding into a question. A collective case study analyzes
cases in order to find understanding about a phenomenon. An intrinsic case study looks
more deeply into an already established case.
2.
2
Map out the protocol, strategy or structure for the case study. This will allow you to
create an outline for how you will start at your question and end with a well-thought-out
paper. The following are sample steps in a case study strategy.
Develop a purpose and rationale for the case study. Create 4 or 5 bullet points that you
intend to answer, if possible, in the study. Consider perspectives on approaching the
question and these bullet points.
Decide how you will collect data. Depending upon the question, you may want to
consider 1 or more of the following data collection processes: report collection, Internet
research, library research, interviewing scientists or research subjects, other fieldwork
and mapping concepts or typologies. Using more than 1 data collection process will add
authority and accuracy to your case study.
Describe the entire case and then analyze it systematically. This will require time and a
word processing program. You should become familiar with citing sources. The process
should include a step that confirms interviews or findings before it is published.
3.
3
Create your interview or research questions. They should each aim to work through
a portion of your question. This is especially important if you plan to interview experts
and/or research subjects.
Make sure that each question you ask is a question that cannot be answered with a yes
or no answer, unless you are confirming identity or participation. For example, "What
changes have been made to improve this process?" rather than "Did you make changes
to improve the process?"
These questions can also be in statement format, such as "Please explain how the
current procedure was developed."
4.
4
Collect your data over a period of weeks or months. Make sure to take your time to
ensure you have ample data when you need to analyze and respond to the research
data. Research new avenues only if they apply directly to the case study question you
are asking.
5.
5
Collect all of your data in 1 place and analyze it. After reading and referring back to
your original bullet points, you may find that the data reacts in a surprising manner. You
need to pull your information together and focus it before writing case studies.
If you are working with more than 1 person you will want to assign sections for
completion together to make sure your case study will flow. For example, 1 person may
be in charge of making charts of the data you gathered, while other people will each
write an analysis of 1 of your bullet points you are trying to answer.
6.
6
Write your case study into a narrative. Unlike scientific studies, a case study is
created to be used across fields. It should provide a beginning, middle, end and theme
that can be understood by people with intimate or cursory knowledge of the subject.
Begin by describing the research question in your introduction. It can be referred to as a
problem or mystery that needs to be solved.
Explain the setting and the key players that will be referenced throughout the paper.
Include any information that needs to be defined or background that should be given in
order for the reader to understand the data analysis.
Continue the narrative in sections explaining your research methods and the results of
your research. Include charts, graphs, photos or any other explanatory devices that will
give the reader a better understanding of your research.
Detail questions that your research raised or potential problems.
Write a conclusion that details the hypothesis that attempts to answer the research
question. You must make sure that you suggest a theory, not a factual answer about
what you have found. You may also want to suggest further avenues of study that would
help to continue research on the subject.
7.
7
Proof and fact check your case study. If you are using quotes from sources or data
from an unreliable source, you should attempt to find a better source or remove it.
This is sometimes called "establishing rigor." Make sure your case study is credible,
transferable, verifiable and dependable.
8.
8
Publish your case study. This can be done for a course, business report or journal.

Tips
It is important to remember that a case study does not aim to answer the research
question definitively. Its aim is to develop 1 or more hypotheses about the answer.
Things You'll Need

Word processing program

Research question

Library

Research subjects

Case study strategy