Beginner Guide for How to Write an Outstanding Case Study

Posted by Carrie L on August 1st, 2018

Writers and researchers should always strive to provide top-notch work each time. The number one rule/principle when it comes to content is the creation of high-quality, authentic, plagiarism-free and timely work. When you, as a writer, indulge yourself in academic writing, there are documents you are bound to work on at one time or the other. The most popular academic papers being dissertations, case studies writing, research, theses, business plans, projects, proposals, and many more. The following guide will give you clear, straightforward and concise tips to help you come up with a well-written case study. Let's see what needs to be included and how to come up with a relevant and professional end product.

Case studies are usually written for both honor's and Master's Level students. There are stages and a format that help to give you a smooth writing process. The following shows the 4-stage process you can use in coming up with a case study. But remember that the guidelines and requirements might vary from one document to the other. Think, Plan, Word Process, and Check.

Moreover, the entire process, stages, possible solutions, points or tips are to be considered when writing a case study in a specific sector like health, education, cosmetics, human resources, and construction among others, and points to be covered with a table of notes and explanation of the references, conclusions, the role of appendices, and possible limitations.

The Process

Consider the title and define the scope and purpose. You should decide upon the audience/readers, as well as why they need to know (Reason). It is better to give yourself a considerable amount of time during the thinking stage because it helps in better planning, ideas, theories, and wording.

Plan

• Prepare the topic outline

• Highlight the points for more emphasis

• Plan a productive start

• Number the topics

• Come up with a compelling conclusion

Word Process

Use a specified font, but usually, most people request for Times New Roman or Calibri and double-spacing with a font size of between 11-14. The best way is to use your chosen topic as an outline to save time on recurring issues.

The Purpose of Case Studies

• To weigh up the issue/concern

• State the objectives

• Identify the techniques and resources that are relevant and help to open up the case study and give alternative solutions

• Define the issue(s) to be addressed

• To identify the key points or topics

• To consider what information you have and don't have

• Outline the desirable results

A Case Study at A Glance

A case study is a program, process, an event, a problem of a person(s) bounded by a system of both space and time with multiple sources of qualitative data that support a specific topic within a specified subject.

The numerous types of qualitative data include documents, artifacts, observations and interviews among others. As a writer starts working on a case study, he/she should know what type it is. A writer should be able to choose from the three common types as follows:

Single Instrumental case study

The above article lets the researcher/writer focus on an issue and later elects a bound/closed case to illustrate that issue.

Intrinsic case study

A writer studies the issue without giving first focus on a topic because the case itself is of primary interest within the intended exploration.

Multiple/collective case study

The above document lets the researcher/writer focus on an issue and later choose several bound cases to illustrate that issue.

Apart from knowing the type of case study you want to venture in, you should be aware of the preferred and best methods to use. A plan should determine if the case will be able to answer a research question, or a writer would make assertions of case themes/data.

Ensure that the case study shows how it will affect an organization or a person and identify at least two significant problems.

Who Uses a Case Study?

The principal users are businesses to aid them to sell services or products to another firm. Besides, consider the findings, conclusions and research aims to give a more detailed paper. The methods you use should include the merits and limitations. Make sure you compare the research tool, analysis of data, sample methods and the design in different publications to give you a clear limitation explanation. It is also good to compare and contrast your findings. The moment you start analyzing the issues openly, ensure you ask yourself the following questions:

• What are the possible solutions?

• What solutions are supported or suggested by the research?

• What is the background of the case study?

• What will be your role?

• What research could further contribute to the understanding of the situation under investigation?

Remember, an appendix is a compilation of illustrative and supplementary materials all in your report. A bibliography is a list of sources written systematically. Tables, diagrams, graphs, and charts are useful to give a clutter-free main content, and they never add to the overall word count. Note that you label and number all the illustrations, as well as refer them correctly and accurately in your report.

Read here: Step by step guide to write an Impressive Essay