Scribd
Upload
28 views3 pages

Case Study

A case study requires analyzing a real or hypothetical situation and relating its elements to theory. It can be formatted as an essay or report divided into sections. There are two main types: descriptive, which summarizes a situation, and problem-solving, which identifies issues and solutions. Understanding the audience is key to tailoring the language, tone, and style of a case study report. A well-structured report typically includes an executive summary, introduction, findings, discussion, conclusions, recommendations, references, and appendices.

Uploaded by

sembatstateu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
28 views3 pages

Case Study

A case study requires analyzing a real or hypothetical situation and relating its elements to theory. It can be formatted as an essay or report divided into sections. There are two main types: descriptive, which summarizes a situation, and problem-solving, which identifies issues and solutions. Understanding the audience is key to tailoring the language, tone, and style of a case study report. A well-structured report typically includes an executive summary, introduction, findings, discussion, conclusions, recommendations, references, and appendices.

Uploaded by

sembatstateu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

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.

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:

a. presenting the central issue(s) under analysis,


b. providing your reasoning for your choices such as supporting your findings
with facts given in the case, the relevant theory and course concepts
c. 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

• Summarie 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.

You might also like