how to prepare a case study class

How to build a case study?

How to Build a Case Study: A Step-by-Step Guide

A case study is a detailed analysis of a specific situation or organization that is used to understand a particular issue or problem and identify potential solutions. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to build a case study, highlighting the key elements to include and the benefits of using this research method.

What is a Case Study?

A case study is a research method that involves an in-depth examination of a particular situation or organization to understand a specific issue or problem. It involves collecting and analyzing data, identifying patterns and trends, and drawing conclusions based on the findings. Case studies can be used in various fields, including business, medicine, education, and social sciences.

Why Use Case Studies?

There are several benefits to using case studies:

Deeper Understanding : Case studies provide a deeper understanding of a particular situation or organization, which can inform decision-making and improve performance.
Increased Credibility : Case studies can be used to demonstrate expertise and establish credibility in a particular field or industry.
Practical Applications : Case studies can provide practical applications and solutions to real-world problems, making them a valuable resource for practitioners and researchers.

Building a case study involves several key steps:

Table of Contents

Step 1: Define the Research Questions

Identify the specific issue or problem to be studied
Determine the research questions to be answered
Determine the scope of the study : Identify the parameters of the study, including the population, setting, and time period

Step 2: Collect Data

Identify data sources : Determine where to collect data, such as interviews, surveys, observations, or secondary data sources
Collect and analyze data : Gather and organize data, and perform statistical analysis and other data analysis techniques as necessary

Step 3: Analyze the Data

Identify patterns and trends : Look for patterns and trends in the data, and identify the most significant findings
Draw conclusions : Draw conclusions based on the analysis of the data, and identify potential solutions to the problem

Step 4: Write the Case Study

Format the case study : Use a clear and concise writing style, and organize the case study in a logical and easy-to-follow manner
Include the following elements : Introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions

Example of a Case Study Outline

Step 5: Present the Case Study

Format the presentation : Present the case study in a clear and concise manner, using visual aids such as charts, graphs, and tables as necessary
Target the right audience : Tailor the presentation to the target audience, and use language and terminology that they will understand

Best Practices for Building a Case Study

Be thorough and detailed : Ensure that the case study is thorough and detailed, and that all data is carefully collected and analyzed
Use visual aids : Use visual aids such as charts, graphs, and tables to present the findings and make the case study more engaging
Write clearly and concisely : Use a clear and concise writing style, and avoid jargon and technical language unless necessary
Address potential biases : Be aware of potential biases, and take steps to minimize their impact

In conclusion, building a case study requires careful planning, execution, and analysis. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a comprehensive and informative case study that provides valuable insights and practical applications for real-world problems. Remember to be thorough, detailed, and clear in your writing, and to use visual aids and other tools to present the findings in a clear and engaging manner.

Does Apple care cover stolen AirPods?
How to post on Google for jobs?
How to hard reset Samsung a13 without pc?
How to view deleted Instagram posts?
How to hide tabs in chrome Windows 10?
How to join a trading server in mm2?
How to turn on a Google speaker?
Is firestick better than Roku stick?

Using Case Studies to Teach

Why Use Cases?

Many students are more inductive than deductive reasoners, which means that they learn better from examples than from logical development starting with basic principles. The use of case studies can therefore be a very effective classroom technique.

Case studies are have long been used in business schools, law schools, medical schools and the social sciences, but they can be used in any discipline when instructors want students to explore how what they have learned applies to real world situations. Cases come in many formats, from a simple “What would you do in this situation?” question to a detailed description of a situation with accompanying data to analyze. Whether to use a simple scenario-type case or a complex detailed one depends on your course objectives.

Most case assignments require students to answer an open-ended question or develop a solution to an open-ended problem with multiple potential solutions. Requirements can range from a one-paragraph answer to a fully developed group action plan, proposal or decision.

Common Case Elements

Most “full-blown” cases have these common elements:

A decision-maker who is grappling with some question or problem that needs to be solved.
A description of the problem’s context (a law, an industry, a family).
Supporting data, which can range from data tables to links to URLs, quoted statements or testimony, supporting documents, images, video, or audio.

Case assignments can be done individually or in teams so that the students can brainstorm solutions and share the work load.

The following discussion of this topic incorporates material presented by Robb Dixon of the School of Management and Rob Schadt of the School of Public Health at CEIT workshops. Professor Dixon also provided some written comments that the discussion incorporates.

Advantages to the use of case studies in class

A major advantage of teaching with case studies is that the students are actively engaged in figuring out the principles by abstracting from the examples. This develops their skills in:

Problem solving
Analytical tools, quantitative and/or qualitative, depending on the case
Decision making in complex situations
Coping with ambiguities

Guidelines for using case studies in class

In the most straightforward application, the presentation of the case study establishes a framework for analysis. It is helpful if the statement of the case provides enough information for the students to figure out solutions and then to identify how to apply those solutions in other similar situations. Instructors may choose to use several cases so that students can identify both the similarities and differences among the cases.

Depending on the course objectives, the instructor may encourage students to follow a systematic approach to their analysis. For example:

What is the issue?
What is the goal of the analysis?
What is the context of the problem?
What key facts should be considered?
What alternatives are available to the decision-maker?
What would you recommend — and why?

An innovative approach to case analysis might be to have students role-play the part of the people involved in the case. This not only actively engages students, but forces them to really understand the perspectives of the case characters. Videos or even field trips showing the venue in which the case is situated can help students to visualize the situation that they need to analyze.

Accompanying Readings

Case studies can be especially effective if they are paired with a reading assignment that introduces or explains a concept or analytical method that applies to the case. The amount of emphasis placed on the use of the reading during the case discussion depends on the complexity of the concept or method. If it is straightforward, the focus of the discussion can be placed on the use of the analytical results. If the method is more complex, the instructor may need to walk students through its application and the interpretation of the results.

Leading the Case Discussion and Evaluating Performance

Decision cases are more interesting than descriptive ones. In order to start the discussion in class, the instructor can start with an easy, noncontroversial question that all the students should be able to answer readily. However, some of the best case discussions start by forcing the students to take a stand. Some instructors will ask a student to do a formal “open” of the case, outlining his or her entire analysis. Others may choose to guide discussion with questions that move students from problem identification to solutions. A skilled instructor steers questions and discussion to keep the class on track and moving at a reasonable pace.

In order to motivate the students to complete the assignment before class as well as to stimulate attentiveness during the class, the instructor should grade the participation—quantity and especially quality—during the discussion of the case. This might be a simple check, check-plus, check-minus or zero. The instructor should involve as many students as possible. In order to engage all the students, the instructor can divide them into groups, give each group several minutes to discuss how to answer a question related to the case, and then ask a randomly selected person in each group to present the group’s answer and reasoning. Random selection can be accomplished through rolling of dice, shuffled index cards, each with one student’s name, a spinning wheel, etc.

Tips on the Penn State U. website: https://sites.psu.edu/pedagogicalpractices/case-studies/

If you are interested in using this technique in a science course, there is a good website on use of case studies in the sciences at the National Science Teaching Association.