Frequently Asked Questions About How to Write a Case Study
If you work in a healthcare setting, have you ever wondered how to write a case study on a patient? Or, if you are on your academic journey, are there times you reflect on how you will write a case study in research when asked to? If not, I am certain there are moments you have analyzed a complex real-world situation, and backed it with data even if not in a formal way. Now, this is what we refer to as a case study.
Scholarly sources define a case study as a subcategory of research design that investigates problems and offers solutions. It can also be defined as an in-depth study of one person, group, or event. As such, the goal of a case study is to identify patterns and reasons for behavior by examining the subject or event in detail.
Additionally, case studies also present the opportunity for one to learn as much as possible about one person or a group, and generalize that knowledge to other situations. Some of the few disciplines that benefit from case studies include psychology, anthropology, education, social work, politics, nursing, and medicine. This makes case studies essential in our academic and professional settings. In an effort to seek knowledge on how to effectively conduct and write a case study, students will frequently ask a number of questions. They include;
- What is a case study?
- What are the five steps to writing a case study?
- What is the format of a case study?
- What is the best way to begin a written case study?
- What is an example of a case study?
In the introductory part of this blog, we already provide you with information on what a case study is. Now, let’s look at the rest of the questions in the next sections.
What is a case study?
What are the five steps to writing a case study?
When writing a case study, the process is tackled in a step-by-step manner to ensure good flow of content, and proper connection of ideas. These steps include;
Step 1: Selecting a subject
The first step is to choose a subject that has a clear central dilemma or question to be examined. Additionally, the subject should also have enough information to enable you to examine the situation in-depth. This information can be obtained from different materials such as peer-reviewed journals, interview scripts, statistical data, and any previous studies on the same subject. It is also crucial to note that the issue should not be too broad; rather, it should have a focused scope.
Step 2: Conduct background research
Numerous information sources are available online regardless of the subject you choose to look into in your case study. Hence, the second step is to conduct research using the different sources of information mentioned in the first step. This research will not only help you gain a robust understanding of your topic, but will also immerse you in the history and environment of the subject. Catalog all your findings with citations in a notebook for reference when crafting the first draft. It is also important that you get to write an introduction at this point. See our guide on how to write a good introduction for your paper.
Step 3: Analyze collected data
After conducting research and identifying the sources to employ, analyze the collected data to identify trends, associations, similarities, and key variables relating to the case study. You may also need to examine causes and effects relating to the event you are evaluating. Remember, the specific issues to look at will all depend on the specific instructions or requirements given for your case. Nonetheless, at this stage, the analyzed information should shed light on the central problem or the question you are studying.
Step 4: Form evidence-based conclusions
Draw inferences from the analysis conducted and present a well-supported verdict on the case. From the conclusion, you may offer a suggestion commensurate to findings and reasonable within the subject’s context.
Step 5:Edit and proofread the case study
The last step is drafting, editing and proofreading the case study following the format and guidelines that will be discussed below. Further, remember to cite all the sources you will have used throughout the research.
What is the format of a case study?
When drafting your case study, it is important to note that a case study follows a specific format. Refer to our guide on how to format an essay. However, this outline may change depending on the instructions given. The case study format is made up of the following parts:
- Executive summary
Give an outline of the case study’s contents and provide a brief summary of the area you are studying. Further, condense the findings of your observation into a thesis statement.
- Background
Give the context of the study and highlight the most important details of the study.
- Case Evaluation
Separate the parts of the research that interest you the most. Justify the success (or failure) of the subject in this section.
- Proposed solutions
Give some practical solutions to evident problems, or suggestions on how to make the situation better. Explain why these options are effective by providing evidence that can be tested
- Conclusion
Summarize the main points from the case evaluations and propose a solution.
- Recommendation and implementation
Discuss the best course of action for you to take and give an account of why the option you recommend is practical. Also, explain how to put specific strategies into action.
- References
Provide all the references to the sources you will have cited throughout the case study.
What is the best way to begin a written case study?
Despite having the knowledge of the steps to take and the format to follow to present an effective case study, you may still have difficulties when starting a case study. In most cases, this is a result of self-doubt on whether you will effectively engage the audience. To hook the reader from the start, you should consider starting your case study with a compelling quote, statistic, or anecdote related to the subject. Additionally, you may also start with a thought-provoking question about the central dilemma. Posing such a question will engage the audience and signal what your analysis is set out to answer. Moreover, it provides enough context to orient readers without overwhelming details. This will help paint a picture of the situation before delving into comprehensive background research. Finish the introduction by clearly stating the specific problem or decision parameters that your case examination will explore. Establishing this framework early on in the study will create a roadmap for the audience to easily follow the investigation.
What is the best way to begin a written case study?
What is an example of a case study?
To illustrate what case studies look like, below are some of the case study examples you may be asked to write.
- A case study of a struggling high school student examining various influences like home environment, learning disabilities, and mental health on academic performance. Conducting assessments aids analysis of challenges and providing recommendations for tailored support.
- A case study profiling a patient recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. You would need to outline medical history, lifestyle factors, lab results, and genetics contributing to the disease. The analysis would look at treatment options while considering the patient’s priorities, resources, and support network.