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Writing A Case Study

outline for case study

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23 views4 pages

Writing A Case Study

outline for case study

Uploaded by

Jasmine Comayingking
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing a case study

What is a case study?

A case study requires you to analyse a specific situation and discuss how its different elements relate to
theory. The case can refer to a real-life or hypothetical event, organisation, individual or group of people
and/or issue. Depending upon your assignment, you will be asked to develop solutions to problems or
recommendations for future action.

Generally, a case study is either formatted as an essay or a report. If it is the latter, your assignment is
often divided into sections with headings and subheadings to ensure easy access to key points of
interest.

There are different approaches to case studies, so always check the specific instructions you have been
given. There are two main types of case studies: descriptive and problem-solving.

Descriptive case studies

Problem-solving case studies

Tips for undertaking a problem-based case study

View

Writing to your audience

Your language expression should be persuasive and user-centred communication. To do this, you need
to carefully research your audience, or your stakeholders. Your stakeholders are not only those people
who will read your writing, but also people who will be impacted by any decisions or recommendations
you choose to include. In other words, your audience may be varied with different needs and
perspectives. This applies to both your case study as an assessment task and a report in your workplace.

Understanding your audience will help you to edit how you express your information, including tailoring
your language expression, tone and style to meet the expectations of your stakeholders. For example, if
your case study is written for the Minister of Health, then your tone will need to be formal, ensuring that
any technical terms are clearly and concisely explained with concrete examples.

Questions to ask yourself:

Who will read my case study and why?

What are the stakeholders’ needs, preferences, expectations and goals?

How can I write clearly and concisely for this particular audience?

How will the stakeholders use my case study in their work?


What are the relevant technical terms and have I explained them in clear and concise language?

Writing up your case study

If your case study is in the form of a report, you can divide it into 8 main sections, as outlined below.
However, these vary depending on discipline-specific requirements and assessment criteria.

1. Executive Summary/Synopsis

 Introduce the topic area of the report.


 Outline the purpose of the case study.
 Outline the key issue(s) and finding(s) without the specific details.
 Identify the theory used.
 Summarise recommendations.

2. Introduction

 Summarise the your task


 Briefly outline the case to identify its significance.
 State the report's aim(s).
 Provide the organisation of the main ideas in the report.
 Briefly describe the key problem and its significance (You usually do not need to provide details
of findings or recommendations. However, it is best to first check your assessment task
instructions.)

3. Findings

 Identify the key problems you have identified by:


 presenting the central issue(s) under analysis,
 providing your reasoning for your choices such as supporting your findings with facts given in
the case, the relevant theory and course concepts
 highlighting any underlying problems.
 Identify and justify your methodology and analytical tools.This might not be applicable to your
assessment, so you will need to check your assessment instructions.
 This section is often divided into sub-sections. Your headings and subheadings need to be
informative and concise as they act as a guide for the reader to the contents of that section.

4. Discussion

 Summarise the major problem(s).


 Identify alternative solutions to these major problem(s).
 Briefly outline each alternative solution where necessary and evaluate the advantages and
disadvantages.
 Depending on your assessment criteria, you might need to refer to theory or professional
practice here.
 Note that as a case study is based on a specific situation, it is difficult to generalise your findings
to other situations. Make sure that your discussion focuses on your case and what can be learnt
from your specific case analysis for your stakeholders.

5. Conclusion

 Restate the purpose of the report


 Sum up the main points from the findings, discussion and recommendations.
 Restate the limitations if required.

6. Recommendations

 Choose which of the alternative solutions should be adopted.


 Briefly justify your choice, explaining how it will solve the major problem/s.
 Remember to integrate theory and practice as discussed in your unit with respect to the case.
 If needed, suggest an action plan, including who should take action, when and what steps, and
how to assess the action taken.
 If appropriate include a rough estimate of costs (both financial and time).
 This section is sometimes divided into Recommendations and Implementation with details of
the action plan placed in the Implementation section.

 Recommendations should be written in a persuasive, audience-centred style that communicates


your suggestions clearly, concisely and precisely.

7. References

 List in alphabetical order all the references cited in the report.


 Make sure to accurately format your references according to the specified referencing style for
your unit.

8. Appendices (if any)

 Attach any original data that relates to your analysis and the case but which would have
interrupted the flow of the main body.

Reference list
Ivančević-Otanjac, M., & Milojević, I. (2015). Writing a case report in English. Srpski arhiv za celokupno
lekarstvo, 143(1-2), 116-118.

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