A case study involves a detailed examination of a person, thing, event and phenomenon to extrapolate trends and explore previously hidden issues that help in providing a greater understanding of a research problem with clarity. A case study can involve either one subject or at least two subjects to establish relationships between them.
Following are the factors to be considered while writing a case study:
Consider taking an example for a case study that requires in-depth analysis because you have to provide new ways of understanding. For instance, if you have to prepare a case study on a research problem “strategies to improve education accessibility to girls in rural areas”, you will pick up an unusual village that is not widely known to people. This will help you reveal more insights and strengthen your case study.
Throwing light on previously hidden problems is essential while writing a case study. You have to ensure that you searched literature that requires further investigation. For instance, you discovered the bunch of literature explaining solutions to export-marketing problems of small and medium-sized firms. Assuming that the literature did not cover uncontrollable factors leading to export-marketing issues, a new case study will be framed on how new strategies can be developed to encounter the problems caused by uncontrollable factors.
Another factor to consider before deciding on writing a case study is whether it will result in findings which will solve the existing problem. For example, studying the case of the relationship between “communities of practice” and “organisational value”, you will be able to reveal hidden issues that can be applied to investigate new ways to boost organisational value by encouraging communities of practice. A case study will enable you to examine what hindrances professionals face while sharing common interest, knowledge and experience, AND effective measures to overcome these impediments
Here are the steps to follow for writing a case study
Introduction
The introduction of a case study does not only include a research problem and the significance to address it, but it also explains why a case study is appropriate to solve the problem. You should provide background information on why a case study is worth reading. You will also explain why a case study will help to expand knowledge about the research problem.
Literature Review
A literature review is crucial to mention to give relevant background information as well as interpreting it in relation to a research problem that is intended to address by a case study. You will also justify how your case study will help discover new information if the same research problem has been examined by a different research design and any other work that supports your case study to address the research problem.
Methods
If your case study is on a person, you have to explain why you decided to choose that person, and what experience he or she has had that provided you an opportunity to further enhance your understanding. You will also describe the background of a person that would include his or her relationship with other people/events/institutions to make readers understand how the person is related to a chosen research problem.
If your case study is on a place, you have to explain how its attributes such as physical, cultural, economical, and political are relevant to a research problem. You will also mention how you determined the chosen place will improve the current status of understanding.
Discussion
This section involves reiterating the research problem, findings, significance, studies’ limitations, suggested areas for further research, and the relation of findings with relevant studies.
Conclusion
You do not have to repeat the discussion section here. You will synthesise key findings to conclude how they are addressing a research problem and state the main argument supported by your results.
