How to Write a Case Study

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There are many different types of case studies. There are also different uses for writing case studies, from academic research purposes to providing corporate evidence. There are roughly four types of case studies: illustrative (description of events), exploratory (investigation), cumulative (comparisons of collective information), and critical (examines a specific topic with cause and effect results).[1]
Once you are familiar with the different types and styles of case study prompts and how each applies to your purposes, there are a few steps that allow for a smooth flow of writing and ensure the development and delivery of a case study. unique that can be used to prove a point or illustrate achievement.

1. 

   Determine what type of case study, layout, or style is most appropriate for your target audience. Corporations may choose the illustrative case study method to show what has been done for the client; schools, teachers, and students can choose a cumulative or critical case study method, and legal teams can demonstrate an exploratory case study method as a way to provide factual evidence.

   • Whichever case study method you use, its purpose is to thoroughly analyze a situation (or “case”) that may reveal factors or information that would otherwise be overlooked or unknown. They can be written about companies, entire countries, or even people. Also, they can be written about more abstract things, like programs or practices. Really, if you can dream it, you can write a case study about it.[2]

2. 

   Determine the topic of your case study. Once you have chosen your angle, you need to determine what your investigation will be about and where it will take place (the location of your case). What did they talk about in class? Do you have questions while reading?

   • Begin your research in the library and/or on the Internet to begin to dig deeper into a particular problem. Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a particular problem, find everything you can about it from a variety of sources. Look for information in books, magazines, DVDs, websites, magazines, newspapers, etc. As you go through each one, take appropriate notes so you can find the information later.[2]

3. 

   Look for case studies that have been published on the same or a similar topic. Talk to your teachers, go to the library, surf the internet until your ass falls asleep. You do not want to repeat research that has already been done.

   • Find out what has already been written and read important articles about your situation. When you do, you may find that there is a problem that needs to be solved, or you may find that you have to come up with an interesting idea that may or may not work in your situation.
   • Look for sample case studies that are similar in style and scope to get an idea of ​​composition and format.

1. 

   Select the participants to interview to include in your case study. Experts in a specific research area or users who have implemented the tool or service under investigation will provide the best information.

   • Find knowledgeable people to interview. They don’t necessarily have to be on your site, but they should be, actively or in the past, directly involved.
   • Determine whether you will interview one person or a group of people who will serve as examples in your case study. It may be helpful for participants to meet as a group and provide shared information. If the study focuses on a personal issue or medical issues, it may be better to conduct face-to-face interviews.
   • Gather as much information as possible about your topics to ensure that you develop interviews and activities that result in the most favorable information for your studies.

2. 

   Make a list of the interview questions and decide how you will conduct the study. This can be through face-to-face group interviews and activities, face-to-face interviews, or telephone interviews. Sometimes email is an option.

   • When you interview people, ask them questions that help you understand their opinions. I mean, how do you feel about the situation? What can you tell me about the development of the site (or situation)? What do you think should be different, if anything? You should also ask questions that give you data that may not be available in the article – make your work different and useful.

3. 

   Conduct interviews with subject matter experts (corporate account managers, customers and users using applicable tools and services, etc.)).

   • Make sure all your informants know what you are doing. They must be fully informed (and sign a waiver in certain cases), and their questions must be appropriate and non-controversial.

1. 

   Conduct interviews. Ask the same or similar questions to all entities involved to ensure you get different perspectives on a similar topic or service.

   • When you ask a question that someone can’t answer with a yes or no, you usually get more information. What you’re trying to do is get the person to tell you what they know and think, even though you don’t always know what it will be before you ask the question. Keep your questions open.
   • Request data and materials from the subjects to add credibility to your findings and future presentations of your case study. Clients can provide statistics on the use of a new tool or product, and contributors can provide photos and quotes showing evidence of findings that can support the case.

2. 

   Collect and analyze all applicable data, including documents, archival records, observations, and artifacts. Organize all your data in one place to ensure easy access to information and materials while you write your case study.

   • You can’t include everything. Therefore, you need to think about how to put it in order, throw away the excess and fix it so that the situation at the scene of the case is understandable to your readers. Before you can do that, you have to put all the information together so you can see it and analyze what’s going on.

3. 

   Formulate the problem in one or two sentences. As you review your data, think about how you can put what you’ve found into a thesis-like statement. What patterns did your subjects bring to light?

   • This will allow you to focus on the material that matters most. You will certainly get information from participants who should be involved, but only on the periphery. Organize your material to reflect this.

1. 

   Develop and write your case study using the data collected during the research, interview and analysis process. Include at least four sections in your case study: an introduction, background information that explains why the case study was conducted, a presentation of the findings, and a conclusion that clearly describes all the data and references.

   • The introduction should set the stage very clearly. In a detective story, a crime occurs right at the beginning and the detective has to gather information to solve it for the rest of the story. Just in case, he can start by asking questions. He can quote someone he interviewed.
   • Be sure to include background information about the research site, why your interviewees are a good sample, and what makes your issue urgent to give your audience a bird’s-eye view of the issue.[3]
     Of course, after you clearly state the problem.[2]
     Include photos or videos if your work would be engaging and personalized.
   • After the reader has acquired all the knowledge necessary to understand the problem, present your data. Include offers and customer data (percentages, rewards, and findings) if possible to add a personal touch and credibility to the case being presented. Describe to the reader what you learned from your interviews about the problem at this site, how it developed, what solutions have already been proposed and/or attempted, and the feelings and thoughts of those who work or visit there. You may need to do your own calculations or additional research to support any claim.
   • At the end of your analysis, you should offer possible solutions, but don’t worry about solving the case itself. You may find that referring to the statements of some interlocutors will be an allusion. Let the reader walk away with a full understanding of the problem, but trying to find their own desire to change it.[2]
     Feel free to leave the reader with a question, forcing them to think for themselves. If you have written a good case, they will have enough information to understand the situation and have a lively class discussion.

2. 

   Add references and attachments (if any). Just as you would in any other article, cite your sources. That’s why you got the believable ones in the first place. And if you have any information that is related to the study but would break the flow of the body, turn it in now.

   • You may have concepts that other cultures would find difficult to understand. If this is the case, include it in an appendix or in a note to the instructor.

3. 

   Make additions and deletions. As your work takes shape, you will notice that it can become an object that you never expected. If so, add and remove as needed. You may find that information you once thought was relevant is no longer relevant. Or vice versa.

   • Review your study section by section, as well as the whole. Each data point must fit into its place and into the overall work. If you can’t find a suitable place for something, paste it into an attachment.

4. 

   Edit and proofread your work. Now that your article is formulated, look for minor revisions. As always, correct any grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, but also pay attention to flow and transition. Is everything set up and formulated in the most efficient way possible?

   • Ask someone else to proofread as well. Your mind may have forgotten about the mistakes it has seen 100 times. Another set of eyes may also notice content that is left open or confusing.

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