summary of the case study

All You Wanted to Know About How to Write a Case Study

What do you study in your college? If you are a psychology, sociology, or anthropology student, we bet you might be familiar with what a case study is. This research method is used to study a certain person, group, or situation. In this guide from our dissertation writing service , you will learn how to write a case study professionally, from researching to citing sources properly. Also, we will explore different types of case studies and show you examples — so that you won’t have any other questions left.

What Is a Case Study?

A case study is a subcategory of research design which investigates problems and offers solutions. Case studies can range from academic research studies to corporate promotional tools trying to sell an idea—their scope is quite vast.

What Is the Difference Between a Research Paper and a Case Study?

While research papers turn the reader’s attention to a certain problem, case studies go even further. Case study guidelines require students to pay attention to details, examining issues closely and in-depth using different research methods. For example, case studies may be used to examine court cases if you study Law, or a patient's health history if you study Medicine. Case studies are also used in Marketing, which are thorough, empirically supported analysis of a good or service's performance. Well-designed case studies can be valuable for prospective customers as they can identify and solve the potential customers pain point.

Case studies involve a lot of storytelling – they usually examine particular cases for a person or a group of people. This method of research is very helpful, as it is very practical and can give a lot of hands-on information. Most commonly, the length of the case study is about 500-900 words, which is much less than the length of an average research paper.

The structure of a case study is very similar to storytelling. It has a protagonist or main character, which in your case is actually a problem you are trying to solve. You can use the system of 3 Acts to make it a compelling story. It should have an introduction, rising action, a climax where transformation occurs, falling action, and a solution.

Here is a rough formula for you to use in your case study:

Problem (Act I): > Solution (Act II) > Result (Act III) > Conclusion.

Types of Case Studies

The purpose of a case study is to provide detailed reports on an event, an institution, a place, future customers, or pretty much anything. There are a few common types of case study, but the type depends on the topic. The following are the most common domains where case studies are needed:

• Historical case studies are great to learn from. Historical events have a multitude of source info offering different perspectives. There are always modern parallels where these perspectives can be applied, compared, and thoroughly analyzed.
• Problem-oriented case studies are usually used for solving problems. These are often assigned as theoretical situations where you need to immerse yourself in the situation to examine it. Imagine you’re working for a startup and you’ve just noticed a significant flaw in your product’s design. Before taking it to the senior manager, you want to do a comprehensive study on the issue and provide solutions. On a greater scale, problem-oriented case studies are a vital part of relevant socio-economic discussions.
• Cumulative case studies collect information and offer comparisons. In business, case studies are often used to tell people about the value of a product.
• Critical case studies explore the causes and effects of a certain case.
• Illustrative case studies describe certain events, investigating outcomes and lessons learned.

Need a compelling case study? EssayPro has got you covered. Our experts are ready to provide you with detailed, insightful case studies that capture the essence of real-world scenarios. Elevate your academic work with our professional assistance.

Case Study Format

The case study format is typically made up of eight parts:

• Executive Summary. Explain what you will examine in the case study. Write an overview of the field you’re researching. Make a thesis statement and sum up the results of your observation in a maximum of 2 sentences.
• Background. Provide background information and the most relevant facts. Isolate the issues.
• Case Evaluation. Isolate the sections of the study you want to focus on. In it, explain why something is working or is not working.
• Proposed Solutions. Offer realistic ways to solve what isn’t working or how to improve its current condition. Explain why these solutions work by offering testable evidence.
• Conclusion. Summarize the main points from the case evaluations and proposed solutions. 6. Recommendations. Talk about the strategy that you should choose. Explain why this choice is the most appropriate.
• Implementation. Explain how to put the specific strategies into action.
• References. Provide all the citations.

How to Write a Case Study

Let's discover how to write a case study.

Setting Up the Research

When writing a case study, remember that research should always come first. Reading many different sources and analyzing other points of view will help you come up with more creative solutions. You can also conduct an actual interview to thoroughly investigate the customer story that you'll need for your case study. Including all of the necessary research, writing a case study may take some time. The research process involves doing the following:

• Define your objective. Explain the reason why you’re presenting your subject. Figure out where you will feature your case study; whether it is written, on video, shown as an infographic, streamed as a podcast, etc.
• Determine who will be the right candidate for your case study. Get permission, quotes, and other features that will make your case study effective. Get in touch with your candidate to see if they approve of being part of your work. Study that candidate’s situation and note down what caused it.
• Identify which various consequences could result from the situation. Follow these guidelines on how to start a case study: surf the net to find some general information you might find useful.
• Make a list of credible sources and examine them. Seek out important facts and highlight problems. Always write down your ideas and make sure to brainstorm.
• Focus on several key issues – why they exist, and how they impact your research subject. Think of several unique solutions. Draw from class discussions, readings, and personal experience. When writing a case study, focus on the best solution and explore it in depth. After having all your research in place, writing a case study will be easy. You may first want to check the rubric and criteria of your assignment for the correct case study structure.

Read Also: ' WHAT IS A CREDIBLE SOURCES ?'

Although your instructor might be looking at slightly different criteria, every case study rubric essentially has the same standards. Your professor will want you to exhibit 8 different outcomes:

• Correctly identify the concepts, theories, and practices in the discipline.
• Identify the relevant theories and principles associated with the particular study.
• Evaluate legal and ethical principles and apply them to your decision-making.
• Recognize the global importance and contribution of your case.
• Construct a coherent summary and explanation of the study.
• Demonstrate analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Explain the interrelationships between the environment and nature.
• Integrate theory and practice of the discipline within the analysis.

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Case Study Outline

Let's look at the structure of an outline based on the issue of the alcoholic addiction of 30 people.

Introduction

• Statement of the issue: Alcoholism is a disease rather than a weakness of character.
• Presentation of the problem: Alcoholism is affecting more than 14 million people in the USA, which makes it the third most common mental illness there.
• Explanation of the terms: In the past, alcoholism was commonly referred to as alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction. Alcoholism is now the more severe stage of this addiction in the disorder spectrum.
• Hypotheses: Drinking in excess can lead to the use of other drugs.
• Importance of your story: How the information you present can help people with their addictions.
• Background of the story: Include an explanation of why you chose this topic.
• Presentation of analysis and data: Describe the criteria for choosing 30 candidates, the structure of the interview, and the outcomes.
• Strong argument 1: ex. X% of candidates dealing with anxiety and depression...
• Strong argument 2: ex. X amount of people started drinking by their mid-teens.
• Strong argument 3: ex. X% of respondents’ parents had issues with alcohol.
• Concluding statement: I have researched if alcoholism is a disease and found out that…
• Recommendations: Ways and actions for preventing alcohol use.

Writing a Case Study Draft

After you’ve done your case study research and written the outline, it’s time to focus on the draft. In a draft, you have to develop and write your case study by using: the data which you collected throughout the research, interviews, and the analysis processes that were undertaken. Follow these rules for the draft:

• Your draft should contain at least 4 sections: an introduction; a body where you should include background information, an explanation of why you decided to do this case study, and a presentation of your main findings; a conclusion where you present data; and references.
• In the introduction, you should set the pace very clearly. You can even raise a question or quote someone you interviewed in the research phase. It must provide adequate background information on the topic. The background may include analyses of previous studies on your topic. Include the aim of your case here as well. Think of it as a thesis statement. The aim must describe the purpose of your work—presenting the issues that you want to tackle. Include background information, such as photos or videos you used when doing the research.
• Describe your unique research process, whether it was through interviews, observations, academic journals, etc. The next point includes providing the results of your research. Tell the audience what you found out. Why is this important, and what could be learned from it? Discuss the real implications of the problem and its significance in the world.
• Include quotes and data (such as findings, percentages, and awards). This will add a personal touch and better credibility to the case you present. Explain what results you find during your interviews in regards to the problem and how it developed. Also, write about solutions which have already been proposed by other people who have already written about this case.
• At the end of your case study, you should offer possible solutions, but don’t worry about solving them yourself.

Use Data to Illustrate Key Points in Your Case Study

Even though your case study is a story, it should be based on evidence. Use as much data as possible to illustrate your point. Without the right data, your case study may appear weak and the readers may not be able to relate to your issue as much as they should. Let's see the examples from essay writing service :

‍ With data: Alcoholism is affecting more than 14 million people in the USA, which makes it the third most common mental illness there. Without data: A lot of people suffer from alcoholism in the United States.

Try to include as many credible sources as possible. You may have terms or sources that could be hard for other cultures to understand. If this is the case, you should include them in the appendix or Notes for the Instructor or Professor.

Finalizing the Draft: Checklist

After you finish drafting your case study, polish it up by answering these ‘ask yourself’ questions and think about how to end your case study:

• Check that you follow the correct case study format, also in regards to text formatting.
• Check that your work is consistent with its referencing and citation style.
• Micro-editing — check for grammar and spelling issues.
• Macro-editing — does ‘the big picture’ come across to the reader? Is there enough raw data, such as real-life examples or personal experiences? Have you made your data collection process completely transparent? Does your analysis provide a clear conclusion, allowing for further research and practice?

Problems to avoid:

• Overgeneralization – Do not go into further research that deviates from the main problem.
• Failure to Document Limitations – Just as you have to clearly state the limitations of a general research study, you must describe the specific limitations inherent in the subject of analysis.
• Failure to Extrapolate All Possible Implications – Just as you don't want to over-generalize from your case study findings, you also have to be thorough in the consideration of all possible outcomes or recommendations derived from your findings.

How to Create a Title Page and Cite a Case Study

Let's see how to create an awesome title page.

Your title page depends on the prescribed citation format. The title page should include:

• A title that attracts some attention and describes your study
• The title should have the words “case study” in it
• The title should range between 5-9 words in length
• Your name and contact information
• Your finished paper should be only 500 to 1,500 words in length.With this type of assignment, write effectively and avoid fluff

Here is a template for the APA and MLA format title page:

There are some cases when you need to cite someone else's study in your own one – therefore, you need to master how to cite a case study. A case study is like a research paper when it comes to citations. You can cite it like you cite a book, depending on what style you need.

Citation Example in MLA ‍ Hill, Linda, Tarun Khanna, and Emily A. Stecker. HCL Technologies. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing, 2008. Print.

Citation Example in APA ‍ Hill, L., Khanna, T., & Stecker, E. A. (2008). HCL Technologies. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing.

Citation Example in Chicago Hill, Linda, Tarun Khanna, and Emily A. Stecker. HCL Technologies.

Case Study Examples

To give you an idea of a professional case study example, we gathered and linked some below.

Eastman Kodak Case Study

Case Study Example: Audi Trains Mexican Autoworkers in Germany

To conclude, a case study is one of the best methods of getting an overview of what happened to a person, a group, or a situation in practice. It allows you to have an in-depth glance at the real-life problems that businesses, healthcare industry, criminal justice, etc. may face. This insight helps us look at such situations in a different light. This is because we see scenarios that we otherwise would not, without necessarily being there. If you need custom essays , try our research paper writing services .

Get Help Form Qualified Writers

Crafting a case study is not easy. You might want to write one of high quality, but you don’t have the time or expertise. If you’re having trouble with your case study, help with essay request - we'll help. EssayPro writers have read and written countless case studies and are experts in endless disciplines. Request essay writing, editing, or proofreading assistance from our custom case study writing service , and all of your worries will be gone.

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What Is A Case Study?

How to cite a case study in apa, how to write a case study.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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• Knowledge Base

Methodology

• What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods

What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods

Published on May 8, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 20, 2023.

A case study is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organization, or phenomenon. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research.

A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods , but quantitative methods are sometimes also used. Case studies are good for describing , comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a research problem .

Table of contents

When to do a case study, step 1: select a case, step 2: build a theoretical framework, step 3: collect your data, step 4: describe and analyze the case, other interesting articles.

A case study is an appropriate research design when you want to gain concrete, contextual, in-depth knowledge about a specific real-world subject. It allows you to explore the key characteristics, meanings, and implications of the case.

Case studies are often a good choice in a thesis or dissertation . They keep your project focused and manageable when you don’t have the time or resources to do large-scale research.

You might use just one complex case study where you explore a single subject in depth, or conduct multiple case studies to compare and illuminate different aspects of your research problem.

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Once you have developed your problem statement and research questions , you should be ready to choose the specific case that you want to focus on. A good case study should have the potential to:

• Provide new or unexpected insights into the subject
• Challenge or complicate existing assumptions and theories
• Propose practical courses of action to resolve a problem
• Open up new directions for future research

TipIf your research is more practical in nature and aims to simultaneously investigate an issue as you solve it, consider conducting action research instead.

Unlike quantitative or experimental research , a strong case study does not require a random or representative sample. In fact, case studies often deliberately focus on unusual, neglected, or outlying cases which may shed new light on the research problem.

Example of an outlying case studyIn the 1960s the town of Roseto, Pennsylvania was discovered to have extremely low rates of heart disease compared to the US average. It became an important case study for understanding previously neglected causes of heart disease.

However, you can also choose a more common or representative case to exemplify a particular category, experience or phenomenon.

Example of a representative case studyIn the 1920s, two sociologists used Muncie, Indiana as a case study of a typical American city that supposedly exemplified the changing culture of the US at the time.

While case studies focus more on concrete details than general theories, they should usually have some connection with theory in the field. This way the case study is not just an isolated description, but is integrated into existing knowledge about the topic. It might aim to:

• Exemplify a theory by showing how it explains the case under investigation
• Expand on a theory by uncovering new concepts and ideas that need to be incorporated
• Challenge a theory by exploring an outlier case that doesn’t fit with established assumptions

To ensure that your analysis of the case has a solid academic grounding, you should conduct a literature review of sources related to the topic and develop a theoretical framework . This means identifying key concepts and theories to guide your analysis and interpretation.

There are many different research methods you can use to collect data on your subject. Case studies tend to focus on qualitative data using methods such as interviews , observations , and analysis of primary and secondary sources (e.g., newspaper articles, photographs, official records). Sometimes a case study will also collect quantitative data.

Example of a mixed methods case studyFor a case study of a wind farm development in a rural area, you could collect quantitative data on employment rates and business revenue, collect qualitative data on local people’s perceptions and experiences, and analyze local and national media coverage of the development.

The aim is to gain as thorough an understanding as possible of the case and its context.

In writing up the case study, you need to bring together all the relevant aspects to give as complete a picture as possible of the subject.

How you report your findings depends on the type of research you are doing. Some case studies are structured like a standard scientific paper or thesis , with separate sections or chapters for the methods , results and discussion .

Others are written in a more narrative style, aiming to explore the case from various angles and analyze its meanings and implications (for example, by using textual analysis or discourse analysis ).

In all cases, though, make sure to give contextual details about the case, connect it back to the literature and theory, and discuss how it fits into wider patterns or debates.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Degrees of freedom
• Null hypothesis
• Discourse analysis
• Control groups
• Mixed methods research
• Non-probability sampling
• Quantitative research
• Ecological validity

Research bias

• Rosenthal effect
• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Selection bias
• Negativity bias
• Status quo bias

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McCombes, S. (2023, November 20). What Is a Case Study? | Definition, Examples & Methods. Scribbr. Retrieved June 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/case-study/

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What the Case Study Method Really Teaches

• Nitin Nohria

Seven meta-skills that stick even if the cases fade from memory.

It’s been 100 years since Harvard Business School began using the case study method. Beyond teaching specific subject matter, the case study method excels in instilling meta-skills in students. This article explains the importance of seven such skills: preparation, discernment, bias recognition, judgement, collaboration, curiosity, and self-confidence.

During my decade as dean of Harvard Business School, I spent hundreds of hours talking with our alumni. To enliven these conversations, I relied on a favorite question: “What was the most important thing you learned from your time in our MBA program?”

• Nitin Nohria is the George F. Baker Jr. and Distinguished Service University Professor. He served as the 10th dean of Harvard Business School, from 2010 to 2020.

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• Knowledge Base
• Methodology
• Case Study | Definition, Examples & Methods

Case Study | Definition, Examples & Methods

Published on 5 May 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 30 January 2023.

A case study is a detailed study of a specific subject, such as a person, group, place, event, organisation, or phenomenon. Case studies are commonly used in social, educational, clinical, and business research.

A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods , but quantitative methods are sometimes also used. Case studies are good for describing , comparing, evaluating, and understanding different aspects of a research problem .

Table of contents

When to do a case study, step 1: select a case, step 2: build a theoretical framework, step 3: collect your data, step 4: describe and analyse the case.

A case study is an appropriate research design when you want to gain concrete, contextual, in-depth knowledge about a specific real-world subject. It allows you to explore the key characteristics, meanings, and implications of the case.

Case studies are often a good choice in a thesis or dissertation . They keep your project focused and manageable when you don’t have the time or resources to do large-scale research.

You might use just one complex case study where you explore a single subject in depth, or conduct multiple case studies to compare and illuminate different aspects of your research problem.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

Once you have developed your problem statement and research questions , you should be ready to choose the specific case that you want to focus on. A good case study should have the potential to:

• Provide new or unexpected insights into the subject
• Challenge or complicate existing assumptions and theories
• Propose practical courses of action to resolve a problem
• Open up new directions for future research

Unlike quantitative or experimental research, a strong case study does not require a random or representative sample. In fact, case studies often deliberately focus on unusual, neglected, or outlying cases which may shed new light on the research problem.

If you find yourself aiming to simultaneously investigate and solve an issue, consider conducting action research . As its name suggests, action research conducts research and takes action at the same time, and is highly iterative and flexible. 

However, you can also choose a more common or representative case to exemplify a particular category, experience, or phenomenon.

While case studies focus more on concrete details than general theories, they should usually have some connection with theory in the field. This way the case study is not just an isolated description, but is integrated into existing knowledge about the topic. It might aim to:

• Exemplify a theory by showing how it explains the case under investigation
• Expand on a theory by uncovering new concepts and ideas that need to be incorporated
• Challenge a theory by exploring an outlier case that doesn’t fit with established assumptions

To ensure that your analysis of the case has a solid academic grounding, you should conduct a literature review of sources related to the topic and develop a theoretical framework . This means identifying key concepts and theories to guide your analysis and interpretation.

There are many different research methods you can use to collect data on your subject. Case studies tend to focus on qualitative data using methods such as interviews, observations, and analysis of primary and secondary sources (e.g., newspaper articles, photographs, official records). Sometimes a case study will also collect quantitative data .

The aim is to gain as thorough an understanding as possible of the case and its context.

In writing up the case study, you need to bring together all the relevant aspects to give as complete a picture as possible of the subject.

How you report your findings depends on the type of research you are doing. Some case studies are structured like a standard scientific paper or thesis, with separate sections or chapters for the methods , results , and discussion .

Others are written in a more narrative style, aiming to explore the case from various angles and analyse its meanings and implications (for example, by using textual analysis or discourse analysis ).

In all cases, though, make sure to give contextual details about the case, connect it back to the literature and theory, and discuss how it fits into wider patterns or debates.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, January 30). Case Study | Definition, Examples & Methods. Scribbr. Retrieved 9 June 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/research-methods/case-studies/

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Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, correlational research | guide, design & examples, a quick guide to experimental design | 5 steps & examples, descriptive research design | definition, methods & examples.

Business growth

Marketing tips

16 case study examples (+ 3 templates to make your own)

I like to think of case studies as a business's version of a resume. It highlights what the business can do, lends credibility to its offer, and contains only the positive bullet points that paint it in the best light possible.

Imagine if the guy running your favorite taco truck followed you home so that he could "really dig into how that burrito changed your life." I see the value in the practice. People naturally prefer a tried-and-true burrito just as they prefer tried-and-true products or services.

To help you showcase your success and flesh out your burrito questionnaire, I've put together some case study examples and key takeaways.

What is a case study?

A case study is an in-depth analysis of how your business, product, or service has helped past clients. It can be a document, a webpage, or a slide deck that showcases measurable, real-life results.

For example, if you're a SaaS company, you can analyze your customers' results after a few months of using your product to measure its effectiveness. You can then turn this analysis into a case study that further proves to potential customers what your product can do and how it can help them overcome their challenges.

It changes the narrative from "I promise that we can do X and Y for you" to "Here's what we've done for businesses like yours, and we can do it for you, too."

16 case study examples 

While most case studies follow the same structure, quite a few try to break the mold and create something unique. Some businesses lean heavily on design and presentation, while others pursue a detailed, stat-oriented approach. Some businesses try to mix both.

There's no set formula to follow, but I've found that the best case studies utilize impactful design to engage readers and leverage statistics and case details to drive the point home. A case study typically highlights the companies, the challenges, the solution, and the results. The examples below will help inspire you to do it, too.

1. .css-yjptlz-Link{all:unset;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;outline-offset:1px;-webkit-text-fill-color:currentColor;outline:1px solid transparent;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='ocean']{color:#3d4592;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='ocean']:hover{color:#2b2358;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='ocean']:focus{color:#3d4592;outline-color:#3d4592;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='white']{color:#fffdf9;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='white']:hover{color:#a8a5a0;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='white']:focus{color:#fffdf9;outline-color:#fffdf9;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='primary']{color:#3d4592;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='primary']:hover{color:#2b2358;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='primary']:focus{color:#3d4592;outline-color:#3d4592;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='secondary']{color:#fffdf9;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='secondary']:hover{color:#a8a5a0;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='secondary']:focus{color:#fffdf9;outline-color:#fffdf9;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-weight='inherit']{font-weight:inherit;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-weight='normal']{font-weight:400;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-weight='bold']{font-weight:700;} Volcanica Coffee and AdRoll

People love a good farm-to-table coffee story, and boy am I one of them. But I've shared this case study with you for more reasons than my love of coffee. I enjoyed this study because it was written as though it was a letter.

In this case study, the founder of Volcanica Coffee talks about the journey from founding the company to personally struggling with learning and applying digital marketing to finding and enlisting AdRoll's services.

It felt more authentic, less about AdRoll showcasing their worth and more like a testimonial from a grateful and appreciative client. After the story, the case study wraps up with successes, milestones, and achievements. Note that quite a few percentages are prominently displayed at the top, providing supporting evidence that backs up an inspiring story.

Takeaway: Highlight your goals and measurable results to draw the reader in and provide concise, easily digestible information.

2. .css-yjptlz-Link{all:unset;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;outline-offset:1px;-webkit-text-fill-color:currentColor;outline:1px solid transparent;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='ocean']{color:#3d4592;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='ocean']:hover{color:#2b2358;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='ocean']:focus{color:#3d4592;outline-color:#3d4592;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='white']{color:#fffdf9;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='white']:hover{color:#a8a5a0;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='white']:focus{color:#fffdf9;outline-color:#fffdf9;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='primary']{color:#3d4592;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='primary']:hover{color:#2b2358;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='primary']:focus{color:#3d4592;outline-color:#3d4592;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='secondary']{color:#fffdf9;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='secondary']:hover{color:#a8a5a0;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-color='secondary']:focus{color:#fffdf9;outline-color:#fffdf9;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-weight='inherit']{font-weight:inherit;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-weight='normal']{font-weight:400;}.css-yjptlz-Link[data-weight='bold']{font-weight:700;} Taylor Guitars and Airtable

This Airtable case study on Taylor Guitars comes as close as one can to an optimal structure. It features a video that represents the artistic nature of the client, highlighting key achievements and dissecting each element of Airtable's influence.

It also supplements each section with a testimonial or quote from the client, using their insights as a catalyst for the case study's narrative. For example, the case study quotes the social media manager and project manager's insights regarding team-wide communication and access before explaining in greater detail.

Takeaway: Highlight pain points your business solves for its client, and explore that influence in greater detail.

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My favorite part of Figma's case study is highlighting why EndeavourX chose its solution. You'll notice an entire section on what Figma does for teams and then specifically for EndeavourX.

It also places a heavy emphasis on numbers and stats. The study, as brief as it is, still manages to pack in a lot of compelling statistics about what's possible with Figma.

Takeaway: Showcase the "how" and "why" of your product's differentiators and how they benefit your customers.

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Zapier's case study leans heavily on design, using graphics to present statistics and goals in a manner that not only remains consistent with the branding but also actively pushes it forward, drawing users' eyes to the information most important to them. 

The graphics, emphasis on branding elements, and cause/effect style tell the story without requiring long, drawn-out copy that risks boring readers. Instead, the cause and effect are concisely portrayed alongside the client company's information for a brief and easily scannable case study.

Takeaway: Lean on design to call attention to the most important elements of your case study, and make sure it stays consistent with your branding.

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In true OpenAI fashion, this case study is a block of text. There's a distinct lack of imagery, but the study features a narrated video walking readers through the product.

The lack of imagery and color may not be the most inviting, but utilizing video format is commendable. It helps thoroughly communicate how OpenAI supported Ironclad in a way that allows the user to sit back, relax, listen, and be impressed. 

Takeaway: Get creative with the media you implement in your case study. Videos can be a very powerful addition when a case study requires more detailed storytelling.

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GitHub's case study on Shopify is a light read. It addresses client pain points and discusses the different aspects its product considers and improves for clients. It touches on workflow issues, internal systems, automation, and security. It does a great job of representing what one company can do with GitHub.

To drive the point home, the case study features colorful quote callouts from the Shopify team, sharing their insights and perspectives on the partnership, the key issues, and how they were addressed.

Takeaway: Leverage quotes to boost the authoritativeness and trustworthiness of your case study. 

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Contentful's case study on Audible features almost every element a case study should. It includes not one but two videos and clearly outlines the challenge, solution, and outcome before diving deeper into what Contentful did for Audible. The language is simple, and the writing is heavy with quotes and personal insights.

This case study is a uniquely original experience. The fact that the companies in question are perhaps two of the most creative brands out there may be the reason. I expected nothing short of a detailed analysis, a compelling story, and video content. 

Takeaway: Inject some brand voice into the case study, and create assets that tell the story for you.

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Asana's case study on Zoom is longer than the average piece and features detailed data on Zoom's growth since 2020. Instead of relying on imagery and graphics, it features several quotes and testimonials. 

It's designed to be direct, informative, and promotional. At some point, the case study reads more like a feature list. There were a few sections that felt a tad too promotional for my liking, but to each their own burrito.

Takeaway: Maintain a balance between promotional and informative. You want to showcase the high-level goals your product helped achieve without losing the reader.

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I've always been a fan of Mailchimp's comic-like branding, and this case study does an excellent job of sticking to their tradition of making information easy to understand, casual, and inviting.

It features a short video that briefly covers Hickies as a company and Mailchimp's efforts to serve its needs for customer relationships and education processes. Overall, this case study is a concise overview of the partnership that manages to convey success data and tell a story at the same time. What sets it apart is that it does so in a uniquely colorful and brand-consistent manner.

Takeaway: Be concise to provide as much value in as little text as possible.

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The gaming industry is notoriously difficult to recruit for, as it requires a very specific set of skills and experience. This case study focuses on how Workday was able to help fill that recruitment gap for NVIDIA, one of the biggest names in the gaming world.

Though it doesn't feature videos or graphics, this case study stood out to me in how it structures information like "key products used" to give readers insight into which tools helped achieve these results.

Takeaway: If your company offers multiple products or services, outline exactly which ones were involved in your case study, so readers can assess each tool.

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I'm personally not a big KFC fan, but that's only because I refuse to eat out of a bucket. My aversion to the bucket format aside, Contentful follows its consistent case study format in this one, outlining challenges, solutions, and outcomes before diving into the nitty-gritty details of the project.

Say what you will about KFC, but their primary product (chicken) does present a unique opportunity for wordplay like "Continuing to march to the beat of a digital-first drum(stick)" or "Delivering deep-fried goodness to every channel."

Takeaway: Inject humor into your case study if there's room for it and if it fits your brand. 

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Twilio does an excellent job of delivering achievements at the very beginning of the case study and going into detail in this two-minute read. While there aren't many graphics, the way quotes from the Intuit team are implemented adds a certain flair to the study and breaks up the sections nicely.

It's simple, concise, and manages to fit a lot of information in easily digestible sections.

Takeaway: Make sure each section is long enough to inform but brief enough to avoid boring readers. Break down information for each section, and don't go into so much detail that you lose the reader halfway through.

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Salesforce created a video that accurately summarizes the key points of the case study. Beyond that, the page itself is very light on content, and sections are as short as one paragraph.

I especially like how information is broken down into "What you need to know," "Why it matters," and "What the difference looks like." I'm not ashamed of being spoon-fed information. When it's structured so well and so simply, it makes for an entertaining read.

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Benchling is an impressive entity in its own right. Biotech R&D and health care nuances go right over my head. But the research and digging I've been doing in the name of these burritos (case studies) revealed that these products are immensely complex. 

And that's precisely why this case study deserves a read—it succeeds at explaining a complex project that readers outside the industry wouldn't know much about.

Takeaway: Simplify complex information, and walk readers through the company's operations and how your business helped streamline them.

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The concision of this case study is refreshing. It features two sections—the challenge and the solution—all in 316 words. This goes to show that your case study doesn't necessarily need to be a four-figure investment with video shoots and studio time. 

Sometimes, the message is simple and short enough to convey in a handful of paragraphs.

Takeaway: Consider what you should include instead of what you can include. Assess the time, resources, and effort you're able and willing to invest in a case study, and choose which elements you want to include from there.

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I may be biased, but I'm a big fan of seeing metrics and achievements represented in branded graphics. It can be a jarring experience to navigate a website, then visit a case study page and feel as though you've gone to a completely different website.

The case study is essentially the summary, and the blog article is the detailed analysis that provides context beyond X achievement or Y goal.

Takeaway: Keep your case study concise and informative. Create other resources to provide context under your blog, media or press, and product pages.

3 case study templates

Now that you've had your fill of case studies (if that's possible), I've got just what you need: an infinite number of case studies, which you can create yourself with these case study templates.

Case study template 1

If you've got a quick hit of stats you want to show off, try this template. The opening section gives space for a short summary and three visually appealing stats you can highlight, followed by a headline and body where you can break the case study down more thoroughly. This one's pretty simple, with only sections for solutions and results, but you can easily continue the formatting to add more sections as needed.

Case study template 2

For a case study template with a little more detail, use this one. Opening with a striking cover page for a quick overview, this one goes on to include context, stakeholders, challenges, multiple quote callouts, and quick-hit stats. 

Case study template 3

Whether you want a little structural variation or just like a nice dark green, this template has similar components to the last template but is designed to help tell a story. Move from the client overview through a description of your company before getting to the details of how you fixed said company's problems.

Tips for writing a case study

Examples are all well and good, but you don't learn how to make a burrito just by watching tutorials on YouTube without knowing what any of the ingredients are. You could , but it probably wouldn't be all that good.

Have an objective: Define your objective by identifying the challenge, solution, and results. Assess your work with the client and focus on the most prominent wins. You're speaking to multiple businesses and industries through the case study, so make sure you know what you want to say to them.

Focus on persuasive data: Growth percentages and measurable results are your best friends. Extract your most compelling data and highlight it in your case study.

Use eye-grabbing graphics: Branded design goes a long way in accurately representing your brand and retaining readers as they review the study. Leverage unique and eye-catching graphics to keep readers engaged. 

Simplify data presentation: Some industries are more complex than others, and sometimes, data can be difficult to understand at a glance. Make sure you present your data in the simplest way possible. Make it concise, informative, and easy to understand.

Use automation to drive results for your case study

A case study example is a source of inspiration you can leverage to determine how to best position your brand's work. Find your unique angle, and refine it over time to help your business stand out. Ask anyone: the best burrito in town doesn't just appear at the number one spot. They find their angle (usually the house sauce) and leverage it to stand out.

Case study FAQ

Got your case study template? Great—it's time to gather the team for an awkward semi-vague data collection task. While you do that, here are some case study quick answers for you to skim through while you contemplate what to call your team meeting.

What is an example of a case study?

An example of a case study is when a software company analyzes its results from a client project and creates a webpage, presentation, or document that focuses on high-level results, challenges, and solutions in an attempt to showcase effectiveness and promote the software.

How do you write a case study?

To write a good case study, you should have an objective, identify persuasive and compelling data, leverage graphics, and simplify data. Case studies typically include an analysis of the challenge, solution, and results of the partnership.

What is the format of a case study?

While case studies don't have a set format, they're often portrayed as reports or essays that inform readers about the partnership and its results. 

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Hachem Ramki

Hachem is a writer and digital marketer from Montreal. After graduating with a degree in English, Hachem spent seven years traveling around the world before moving to Canada. When he's not writing, he enjoys Basketball, Dungeons and Dragons, and playing music for friends and family.

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What Is a Case Study?

Weighing the pros and cons of this method of research

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Cara Lustik is a fact-checker and copywriter.

Verywell / Colleen Tighe

• Pros and Cons

What Types of Case Studies Are Out There?

Where do you find data for a case study, how do i write a psychology case study.

A case study is an in-depth study of one person, group, or event. In a case study, nearly every aspect of the subject's life and history is analyzed to seek patterns and causes of behavior. Case studies can be used in many different fields, including psychology, medicine, education, anthropology, political science, and social work.

The point of a case study is to learn as much as possible about an individual or group so that the information can be generalized to many others. Unfortunately, case studies tend to be highly subjective, and it is sometimes difficult to generalize results to a larger population.

While case studies focus on a single individual or group, they follow a format similar to other types of psychology writing. If you are writing a case study, we got you—here are some rules of APA format to reference.  

At a Glance

A case study, or an in-depth study of a person, group, or event, can be a useful research tool when used wisely. In many cases, case studies are best used in situations where it would be difficult or impossible for you to conduct an experiment. They are helpful for looking at unique situations and allow researchers to gather a lot of˜ information about a specific individual or group of people. However, it's important to be cautious of any bias we draw from them as they are highly subjective.

What Are the Benefits and Limitations of Case Studies?

A case study can have its strengths and weaknesses. Researchers must consider these pros and cons before deciding if this type of study is appropriate for their needs.

One of the greatest advantages of a case study is that it allows researchers to investigate things that are often difficult or impossible to replicate in a lab. Some other benefits of a case study:

• Allows researchers to capture information on the 'how,' 'what,' and 'why,' of something that's implemented
• Gives researchers the chance to collect information on why one strategy might be chosen over another
• Permits researchers to develop hypotheses that can be explored in experimental research

On the other hand, a case study can have some drawbacks:

• It cannot necessarily be generalized to the larger population
• Cannot demonstrate cause and effect
• It may not be scientifically rigorous
• It can lead to bias

Researchers may choose to perform a case study if they want to explore a unique or recently discovered phenomenon. Through their insights, researchers develop additional ideas and study questions that might be explored in future studies.

It's important to remember that the insights from case studies cannot be used to determine cause-and-effect relationships between variables. However, case studies may be used to develop hypotheses that can then be addressed in experimental research.

Case Study Examples

There have been a number of notable case studies in the history of psychology. Much of  Freud's work and theories were developed through individual case studies. Some great examples of case studies in psychology include:

• Anna O : Anna O. was a pseudonym of a woman named Bertha Pappenheim, a patient of a physician named Josef Breuer. While she was never a patient of Freud's, Freud and Breuer discussed her case extensively. The woman was experiencing symptoms of a condition that was then known as hysteria and found that talking about her problems helped relieve her symptoms. Her case played an important part in the development of talk therapy as an approach to mental health treatment.
• Phineas Gage : Phineas Gage was a railroad employee who experienced a terrible accident in which an explosion sent a metal rod through his skull, damaging important portions of his brain. Gage recovered from his accident but was left with serious changes in both personality and behavior.
• Genie : Genie was a young girl subjected to horrific abuse and isolation. The case study of Genie allowed researchers to study whether language learning was possible, even after missing critical periods for language development. Her case also served as an example of how scientific research may interfere with treatment and lead to further abuse of vulnerable individuals.

Such cases demonstrate how case research can be used to study things that researchers could not replicate in experimental settings. In Genie's case, her horrific abuse denied her the opportunity to learn a language at critical points in her development.

This is clearly not something researchers could ethically replicate, but conducting a case study on Genie allowed researchers to study phenomena that are otherwise impossible to reproduce.

There are a few different types of case studies that psychologists and other researchers might use:

• Collective case studies : These involve studying a group of individuals. Researchers might study a group of people in a certain setting or look at an entire community. For example, psychologists might explore how access to resources in a community has affected the collective mental well-being of those who live there.
• Descriptive case studies : These involve starting with a descriptive theory. The subjects are then observed, and the information gathered is compared to the pre-existing theory.
• Explanatory case studies : These   are often used to do causal investigations. In other words, researchers are interested in looking at factors that may have caused certain things to occur.
• Exploratory case studies : These are sometimes used as a prelude to further, more in-depth research. This allows researchers to gather more information before developing their research questions and hypotheses .
• Instrumental case studies : These occur when the individual or group allows researchers to understand more than what is initially obvious to observers.
• Intrinsic case studies : This type of case study is when the researcher has a personal interest in the case. Jean Piaget's observations of his own children are good examples of how an intrinsic case study can contribute to the development of a psychological theory.

The three main case study types often used are intrinsic, instrumental, and collective. Intrinsic case studies are useful for learning about unique cases. Instrumental case studies help look at an individual to learn more about a broader issue. A collective case study can be useful for looking at several cases simultaneously.

The type of case study that psychology researchers use depends on the unique characteristics of the situation and the case itself.

There are a number of different sources and methods that researchers can use to gather information about an individual or group. Six major sources that have been identified by researchers are:

• Archival records : Census records, survey records, and name lists are examples of archival records.
• Direct observation : This strategy involves observing the subject, often in a natural setting . While an individual observer is sometimes used, it is more common to utilize a group of observers.
• Documents : Letters, newspaper articles, administrative records, etc., are the types of documents often used as sources.
• Interviews : Interviews are one of the most important methods for gathering information in case studies. An interview can involve structured survey questions or more open-ended questions.
• Participant observation : When the researcher serves as a participant in events and observes the actions and outcomes, it is called participant observation.
• Physical artifacts : Tools, objects, instruments, and other artifacts are often observed during a direct observation of the subject.

If you have been directed to write a case study for a psychology course, be sure to check with your instructor for any specific guidelines you need to follow. If you are writing your case study for a professional publication, check with the publisher for their specific guidelines for submitting a case study.

Here is a general outline of what should be included in a case study.

Section 1: A Case History

This section will have the following structure and content:

Background information : The first section of your paper will present your client's background. Include factors such as age, gender, work, health status, family mental health history, family and social relationships, drug and alcohol history, life difficulties, goals, and coping skills and weaknesses.

Description of the presenting problem : In the next section of your case study, you will describe the problem or symptoms that the client presented with.

Describe any physical, emotional, or sensory symptoms reported by the client. Thoughts, feelings, and perceptions related to the symptoms should also be noted. Any screening or diagnostic assessments that are used should also be described in detail and all scores reported.

Your diagnosis : Provide your diagnosis and give the appropriate Diagnostic and Statistical Manual code. Explain how you reached your diagnosis, how the client's symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria for the disorder(s), or any possible difficulties in reaching a diagnosis.

Section 2: Treatment Plan

This portion of the paper will address the chosen treatment for the condition. This might also include the theoretical basis for the chosen treatment or any other evidence that might exist to support why this approach was chosen.

• Cognitive behavioral approach : Explain how a cognitive behavioral therapist would approach treatment. Offer background information on cognitive behavioral therapy and describe the treatment sessions, client response, and outcome of this type of treatment. Make note of any difficulties or successes encountered by your client during treatment.
• Humanistic approach : Describe a humanistic approach that could be used to treat your client, such as client-centered therapy . Provide information on the type of treatment you chose, the client's reaction to the treatment, and the end result of this approach. Explain why the treatment was successful or unsuccessful.
• Psychoanalytic approach : Describe how a psychoanalytic therapist would view the client's problem. Provide some background on the psychoanalytic approach and cite relevant references. Explain how psychoanalytic therapy would be used to treat the client, how the client would respond to therapy, and the effectiveness of this treatment approach.
• Pharmacological approach : If treatment primarily involves the use of medications, explain which medications were used and why. Provide background on the effectiveness of these medications and how monotherapy may compare with an approach that combines medications with therapy or other treatments.

This section of a case study should also include information about the treatment goals, process, and outcomes.

When you are writing a case study, you should also include a section where you discuss the case study itself, including the strengths and limitiations of the study. You should note how the findings of your case study might support previous research. 

In your discussion section, you should also describe some of the implications of your case study. What ideas or findings might require further exploration? How might researchers go about exploring some of these questions in additional studies?

Need More Tips?

Here are a few additional pointers to keep in mind when formatting your case study:

• Never refer to the subject of your case study as "the client." Instead, use their name or a pseudonym.
• Read examples of case studies to gain an idea about the style and format.
• Remember to use APA format when citing references .

Crowe S, Cresswell K, Robertson A, Huby G, Avery A, Sheikh A. The case study approach .  BMC Med Res Methodol . 2011;11:100.

Crowe S, Cresswell K, Robertson A, Huby G, Avery A, Sheikh A. The case study approach . BMC Med Res Methodol . 2011 Jun 27;11:100. doi:10.1186/1471-2288-11-100

Gagnon, Yves-Chantal.  The Case Study as Research Method: A Practical Handbook . Canada, Chicago Review Press Incorporated DBA Independent Pub Group, 2010.

Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods . United States, SAGE Publications, 2017.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

How to write a case brief for law school: Excerpt reproduced from Introduction to the Study of Law: Cases and Materials,

Third Edition (LexisNexis 2009) by Michael Makdisi & John Makdisi

C. HOW TO BRIEF

The previous section described the parts of a case in order to make it easier to read and identify the pertinent information that you will use to create your briefs. This section will describe the parts of a brief in order to give you an idea about what a brief is, what is helpful to include in a brief, and what purpose it serves. Case briefs are a necessary study aid in law school that helps to encapsulate and analyze the mountainous mass of material that law students must digest. The case brief represents a final product after reading a case, rereading it, taking it apart, and putting it back together again. In addition to its function as a tool for self-instruction and referencing, the case brief also provides a valuable “cheat sheet” for class participation.

Who will read your brief? Most professors will espouse the value of briefing but will never ask to see that you have, in fact, briefed. As a practicing lawyer, your client doesn’t care if you brief, so long as you win the case. The judges certainly don’t care if you brief, so long as you competently practice the law. You are the person that the brief will serve! Keep this in mind when deciding what elements to include as part of your brief and when deciding what information to include under those elements.

What are the elements of a brief? Different people will tell you to include different things in your brief. Most likely, upon entering law school, this will happen with one or more of your instructors. While opinions may vary, four elements that are essential to any useful brief are the following:

(a) Facts (name of the case and its parties, what happened factually and procedurally, and the judgment)

(b) Issues (what is in dispute)

(c) Holding (the applied rule of law)

(d) Rationale (reasons for the holding)

If you include nothing but these four elements, you should have everything you need in order to recall effectively the information from the case during class or several months later when studying for exams.

Because briefs are made for yourself, you may want to include other elements that expand the four elements listed above. Depending on the case, the inclusion of additional elements may be useful. For example, a case that has a long and important section expounding dicta might call for a separate section in your brief labeled: Dicta. Whatever elements you decide to include, however, remember that the brief is a tool intended for personal use. To the extent that more elements will help with organization and use of the brief, include them. On the other hand, if you find that having more elements makes your brief cumbersome and hard to use, cut back on the number of elements. At a minimum, however, make sure you include the four elements listed above.

Elements that you may want to consider including in addition to the four basic elements are:

(e) Dicta (commentary about the decision that was not the basis for the decision)

(f) Dissent (if a valuable dissenting opinion exits, the dissent’s opinion)

(g) Party’s Arguments (each party’s opposing argument concerning the ultimate issue)

(h) Comments (personal commentary)

Personal comments can be useful if you have a thought that does not fit elsewhere. In the personal experience of one of the authors, this element was used to label cases as specific kinds (e.g., as a case of vicarious liability) or make mental notes about what he found peculiar or puzzling about cases. This element allowed him to release his thoughts (without losing them) so that he could move on to other cases.

In addition to these elements, it may help you to organize your thoughts, as some people do, by dividing Facts into separate elements:

(1) Facts of the case (what actually happened, the controversy)

(2) Procedural History (what events within the court system led to the present case)

(3) Judgment (what the court actually decided)

Procedural History is usually minimal and most of the time irrelevant to the ultimate importance of a case; however, this is not always true. One subject in which Procedure History is virtually always relevant is Civil Procedure.

When describing the Judgment of the case, distinguish it from the Holding. The Judgment is the factual determination by the court, in favor of one party, such as “affirmed,” “reversed,” or “remanded.” In contrast, the Holding is the applied rule of law that serves as the basis for the ultimate judgment.

Remember that the purpose of a brief is to remind you of the important details that make the case significant in terms of the law. It will be a reference tool when you are drilled by a professor and will be a study aid when you prepare for exams. A brief is also like a puzzle piece.

The elements of the brief create the unique shape and colors of the piece, and, when combined with other pieces, the picture of the common law takes form. A well-constructed brief will save you lots of time by removing the need to return to the case to remember the important details and also by making it easier to put together the pieces of the common law puzzle.

D. EXTRACTING THE RELEVANT INFORMATION: ANNOTATING AND HIGHLIGHTING

So now that you know the basic elements of a brief, what information is important to include under each element? The simple answer is: whatever is relevant. But what parts of a case are relevant? When you read your first few cases, you may think that everything that the judge said was relevant to his ultimate conclusion. Even if this were true, what is relevant for the judge to make his decision is not always relevant for you to include in your brief. Remember, the reason to make a brief is not to persuade the world that the ultimate decision in the case is a sound one, but rather to aid in refreshing your memory concerning the most important parts of the case.

What facts are relevant to include in a brief? You should include the facts that are necessary to remind you of the story. If you forget the story, you will not remember how the law in the case was applied. You should also include the facts that are dispositive to the decision in the case. For instance, if the fact that a car is white is a determining factor in the case, the brief should note that the case involves a white car and not simply a car. To the extent that the procedural history either helps you to remember the case or plays an important role in the ultimate outcome, you should include these facts as well.

What issues and conclusions are relevant to include in a brief? There is usually one main issue on which the court rests its decision. This may seem simple, but the court may talk about multiple issues, and may discuss multiple arguments from both sides of the case. Be sure to distinguish the issues from the arguments made by the parties. The relevant issue or issues, and corresponding conclusions, are the ones for which the court made a final decision and which are binding. The court may discuss intermediate conclusions or issues, but stay focused on the main issue and conclusion which binds future courts.

What rationale is important to include in a brief? This is probably the most difficult aspect of the case to determine. Remember that everything that is discussed may have been relevant to the judge, but it is not necessarily relevant to the rationale of the decision. The goal is to remind yourself of the basic reasoning that the court used to come to its decision and the key factors that made the decision favor one side or the other.

A brief should be brief! Overly long or cumbersome briefs are not very helpful because you will not be able to skim them easily when you review your notes or when the professor drills you. On the other hand, a brief that is too short will be equally unhelpful because it lacks sufficient information to refresh your memory. Try to keep your briefs to one page in length. This will make it easy for you to organize and reference them.

Do not get discouraged. Learning to brief and figuring out exactly what to include will take time and practice. The more you brief, the easier it will become to extract the relevant information.

While a brief is an extremely helpful and important study aid, annotating and highlighting are other tools for breaking down the mass of material in your casebook. The remainder of this section will discuss these different techniques and show how they complement and enhance the briefing process.

Annotating Cases

Many of you probably already read with a pencil or pen, but if you do not, now is the time to get in the habit. Cases are so dense and full of information that you will find yourself spending considerable amounts of time rereading cases to find what you need. An effective way to reduce this time is to annotate the margins of the casebook. Your pencil (or pen) will be one of your best friends while reading a case. It will allow you to mark off the different sections (such as facts, procedural history, or conclusions), thus allowing you to clear your mind of thoughts and providing an invaluable resource when briefing and reviewing.

You might be wondering why annotating is important if you make an adequate, well-constructed brief. By their very nature briefs cannot cover everything in a case. Even with a thorough, well-constructed brief you may want to reference the original case in order to reread dicta that might not have seemed important at the time, to review the complete procedural history or set of facts, or to scour the rationale for a better understanding of the case; annotating makes these tasks easier. Whether you return to a case after a few hours or a few months, annotations will swiftly guide you to the pertinent parts of the case by providing a roadmap of the important sections. Your textual markings and margin notes will refresh your memory and restore specific thoughts you might have had about either the case in general or an individual passage.

Annotations will also remind you of forgotten thoughts and random ideas by providing a medium for personal comments.

In addition to making it easier to review an original case, annotating cases during the first review of a case makes the briefing process easier. With adequate annotations, the important details needed for your brief will be much easier to retrieve. Without annotations, you will likely have difficulty locating the information you seek even in the short cases. It might seem strange that it would be hard to reference a short case, but even a short case will likely take you at least fifteen to twenty-five minutes to read, while longer cases may take as much as thirty minutes to an hour to complete. No matter how long it takes, the dense material of all cases makes it difficult to remember all your thoughts, and trying to locate specific sections of the analysis may feel like you are trying to locate a needle in a haystack. An annotation in the margin, however, will not only swiftly guide you to a pertinent section, but will also refresh the thoughts that you had while reading that section.

When you read a case for the first time, read for the story and for a basic understanding of the dispute, the issues, the rationale, and the decision. As you hit these elements (or what you think are these elements) make a mark in the margins. Your markings can be as simple as “facts” (with a bracket that indicates the relevant part of the paragraph). When you spot an issue, you may simply mark “issue” or instead provide a synopsis in your own words. When a case sparks an idea — write that idea in the margin as well — you never know when a seemingly irrelevant idea might turn into something more.

Finally, when you spot a particularly important part of the text, underline it (or highlight it as described below).

With a basic understanding of the case, and with annotations in the margin, the second read-through of the case should be much easier. You can direct your reading to the most important sections and will have an easier time identifying what is and is not important. Continue rereading the case until you have identified all the relevant information that you need to make your brief, including the issue(s), the facts, the holding, and the relevant parts of the analysis.

Pencil or pen — which is better to use when annotating? Our recommendation is a mechanical pencil. Mechanical pencils make finer markings than regular pencils, and also than ballpoint pens. Although you might think a pencil might smear more than a pen, with its sharp point a mechanical pencil uses very little excess lead and will not smear as much as you might imagine. A mechanical pencil will also give you the freedom to make mistakes without consequences. When you first start annotating, you may think that some passages are more important than they really are, and therefore you may resist the urge to make a mark in order to preserve your book and prevent false guideposts. With a pencil, however, the ability to erase and rewrite removes this problem.

Highlighting

Why highlight? Like annotating, highlighting may seem unimportant if you create thorough, well-constructed briefs, but highlighting directly helps you to brief. It makes cases, especially the more complicated ones, easy to digest, review and use to extract information.

Highlighting takes advantage of colors to provide a uniquely effective method for reviewing and referencing a case. If you prefer a visual approach to learning, you may find highlighting to be a very effective tool.

If annotating and highlighting are so effective, why brief? Because the process of summarizing a case and putting it into your own words within a brief provides an understanding of the law and of the case that you cannot gain through the process of highlighting or annotating.

The process of putting the case into your own words forces you to digest the material, while annotating and highlighting can be accomplished in a much more passive manner.

What should you highlight? Similar to annotating, the best parts of the case to highlight are those that represent the needed information for your brief such as the facts, the issue, the holding and the rationale.

Unlike annotating, highlighting provides an effective way to color code, which makes referring to the case even easier. In addition, Highlighters are particularly useful in marking off entire sections by using brackets. These brackets will allow you to color-code the case without highlighting all the text, leaving the most important phrases untouched for a more detailed highlight marking or underlining.

Highlighting is a personal tool, and therefore should be used to the extent that highlighting helps, but should be modified in a way that makes it personally time efficient and beneficial. For instance, you might combine the use of annotations in the margins with the visual benefit of highlighting the relevant text. You may prefer to underline the relevant text with a pencil, but to use a highlighter to bracket off the different sections of a case. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it works for you, regardless of what others recommend. The techniques in the remainder of this section will describe ways to make full use of your highlighters.

First, buy yourself a set of multi-colored highlighters, with at least four, or perhaps five or six different colors. Yellow, pink, and orange are usually the brightest. Depending on the brand, purple and green can be dark, but still work well. Although blue is a beautiful color, it tends to darken and hide the text.

Therefore we recommend that you save blue for the elements that you rarely highlight.

For each different section of the case, choose a color, and use that color only when highlighting the section of the case designated for that color. Consider using yellow for the text that you tend to highlight most frequently. Because yellow is the brightest, you may be inclined to use yellow for the Conclusions in order to make them stand out the most. If you do this, however, you will exhaust your other colors much faster than yellow and this will require that you purchase an entire set of new highlighters when a single color runs out because colors such as green are not sold separately. If instead you choose to use yellow on a more frequently highlighted section such as the Analysis, when it comes time to replace your yellow marker, you will need only to replace your yellow highlighter individually. In the personal experience on one of the authors, the sections of cases that seemed to demand the most highlighter attention were the

Facts and the Analysis, while the Issues and Holdings demanded the least. Other Considerations and

Procedural History required lots of highlighting in particular cases although not in every case.

Experiment if you must, but try to choose a color scheme early on in the semester and stick with it. That way, when you come back to the first cases of the semester, you will not be confused with multiple color schemes. The basic sections of a case for which you should consider giving a different color are:

(b) Procedural History

(c) Issue (and questions presented)

(d) Holding (and conclusions)

(e) Analysis (rationale)

(f) Other Considerations (such as dicta)

Not all of these sections demand a separate color. You may find that combining Facts and Procedural History or Issues and Holdings works best. Furthermore, as mentioned above, some sections may not warrant highlighting in every case (e.g., dicta probably do not need to be highlighted unless they are particularly important). If you decide that a single color is all that you need, then stick to one, but if you find yourself highlighting lots of text from many different sections, reconsider the use of at least a few different colors. Highlighters make text stand out, but only when used appropriately. The use of many colors enables you to highlight more text without reducing the highlighter’s effectiveness. Three to four colors provides decent color variation without the cumbersomeness of handling too many markers.

Once you are comfortable with your color scheme, determining exactly what to highlight still may be difficult. Similar to knowing what to annotate, experience will perfect your highlighting skills. Be careful not to highlight everything, thus ruining your highlighters’ effectiveness; at the same time, do not be afraid to make mistakes.

Now that we have covered the basics of reading, annotating, highlighting, and briefing a case, you are ready to start practicing. Keep the tips and techniques mentioned in this chapter in mind when you tackle the four topics in the remainder of this book. If you have difficultly, refer back to this chapter to help guide you as you master the case method of study and the art of using the common law.

More Helpful Links

The american legal system, how to brief a case, how to read a casebook 101, top 20 things you need to know about law school, learn to spot issues like a lawyer, why an internet search is not legal research, why go to law school, what’s the most challenging part of law school, what advice would you give yourself about law school.

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

• Annotated Bibliography
• Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
• Group Presentations
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• Types of Structured Group Activities
• Group Project Survival Skills
• Leading a Class Discussion
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Works
• Writing a Case Analysis Paper
• Writing a Case Study
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

Definition and Introduction

Case analysis is a problem-based teaching and learning method that involves critically analyzing complex scenarios within an organizational setting for the purpose of placing the student in a “real world” situation and applying reflection and critical thinking skills to contemplate appropriate solutions, decisions, or recommended courses of action. It is considered a more effective teaching technique than in-class role playing or simulation activities. The analytical process is often guided by questions provided by the instructor that ask students to contemplate relationships between the facts and critical incidents described in the case.

Cases generally include both descriptive and statistical elements and rely on students applying abductive reasoning to develop and argue for preferred or best outcomes [i.e., case scenarios rarely have a single correct or perfect answer based on the evidence provided]. Rather than emphasizing theories or concepts, case analysis assignments emphasize building a bridge of relevancy between abstract thinking and practical application and, by so doing, teaches the value of both within a specific area of professional practice.

Given this, the purpose of a case analysis paper is to present a structured and logically organized format for analyzing the case situation. It can be assigned to students individually or as a small group assignment and it may include an in-class presentation component. Case analysis is predominately taught in economics and business-related courses, but it is also a method of teaching and learning found in other applied social sciences disciplines, such as, social work, public relations, education, journalism, and public administration.

Ellet, William. The Case Study Handbook: A Student's Guide . Revised Edition. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing, 2018; Christoph Rasche and Achim Seisreiner. Guidelines for Business Case Analysis . University of Potsdam; Writing a Case Analysis . Writing Center, Baruch College; Volpe, Guglielmo. "Case Teaching in Economics: History, Practice and Evidence." Cogent Economics and Finance 3 (December 2015). doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2015.1120977.

How to Approach Writing a Case Analysis Paper

The organization and structure of a case analysis paper can vary depending on the organizational setting, the situation, and how your professor wants you to approach the assignment. Nevertheless, preparing to write a case analysis paper involves several important steps. As Hawes notes, a case analysis assignment “...is useful in developing the ability to get to the heart of a problem, analyze it thoroughly, and to indicate the appropriate solution as well as how it should be implemented” [p.48]. This statement encapsulates how you should approach preparing to write a case analysis paper.

Before you begin to write your paper, consider the following analytical procedures:

• Review the case to get an overview of the situation . A case can be only a few pages in length, however, it is most often very lengthy and contains a significant amount of detailed background information and statistics, with multilayered descriptions of the scenario, the roles and behaviors of various stakeholder groups, and situational events. Therefore, a quick reading of the case will help you gain an overall sense of the situation and illuminate the types of issues and problems that you will need to address in your paper. If your professor has provided questions intended to help frame your analysis, use them to guide your initial reading of the case.
• Read the case thoroughly . After gaining a general overview of the case, carefully read the content again with the purpose of understanding key circumstances, events, and behaviors among stakeholder groups. Look for information or data that appears contradictory, extraneous, or misleading. At this point, you should be taking notes as you read because this will help you develop a general outline of your paper. The aim is to obtain a complete understanding of the situation so that you can begin contemplating tentative answers to any questions your professor has provided or, if they have not provided, developing answers to your own questions about the case scenario and its connection to the course readings,lectures, and class discussions.
• Determine key stakeholder groups, issues, and events and the relationships they all have to each other . As you analyze the content, pay particular attention to identifying individuals, groups, or organizations described in the case and identify evidence of any problems or issues of concern that impact the situation in a negative way. Other things to look for include identifying any assumptions being made by or about each stakeholder, potential biased explanations or actions, explicit demands or ultimatums , and the underlying concerns that motivate these behaviors among stakeholders. The goal at this stage is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the situational and behavioral dynamics of the case and the explicit and implicit consequences of each of these actions.
• Identify the core problems . The next step in most case analysis assignments is to discern what the core [i.e., most damaging, detrimental, injurious] problems are within the organizational setting and to determine their implications. The purpose at this stage of preparing to write your analysis paper is to distinguish between the symptoms of core problems and the core problems themselves and to decide which of these must be addressed immediately and which problems do not appear critical but may escalate over time. Identify evidence from the case to support your decisions by determining what information or data is essential to addressing the core problems and what information is not relevant or is misleading.
• Explore alternative solutions . As noted, case analysis scenarios rarely have only one correct answer. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that the process of analyzing the case and diagnosing core problems, while based on evidence, is a subjective process open to various avenues of interpretation. This means that you must consider alternative solutions or courses of action by critically examining strengths and weaknesses, risk factors, and the differences between short and long-term solutions. For each possible solution or course of action, consider the consequences they may have related to their implementation and how these recommendations might lead to new problems. Also, consider thinking about your recommended solutions or courses of action in relation to issues of fairness, equity, and inclusion.
• Decide on a final set of recommendations . The last stage in preparing to write a case analysis paper is to assert an opinion or viewpoint about the recommendations needed to help resolve the core problems as you see them and to make a persuasive argument for supporting this point of view. Prepare a clear rationale for your recommendations based on examining each element of your analysis. Anticipate possible obstacles that could derail their implementation. Consider any counter-arguments that could be made concerning the validity of your recommended actions. Finally, describe a set of criteria and measurable indicators that could be applied to evaluating the effectiveness of your implementation plan.

Use these steps as the framework for writing your paper. Remember that the more detailed you are in taking notes as you critically examine each element of the case, the more information you will have to draw from when you begin to write. This will save you time.

NOTE : If the process of preparing to write a case analysis paper is assigned as a student group project, consider having each member of the group analyze a specific element of the case, including drafting answers to the corresponding questions used by your professor to frame the analysis. This will help make the analytical process more efficient and ensure that the distribution of work is equitable. This can also facilitate who is responsible for drafting each part of the final case analysis paper and, if applicable, the in-class presentation.

Framework for Case Analysis . College of Management. University of Massachusetts; Hawes, Jon M. "Teaching is Not Telling: The Case Method as a Form of Interactive Learning." Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education 5 (Winter 2004): 47-54; Rasche, Christoph and Achim Seisreiner. Guidelines for Business Case Analysis . University of Potsdam; Writing a Case Study Analysis . University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center; Van Ness, Raymond K. A Guide to Case Analysis . School of Business. State University of New York, Albany; Writing a Case Analysis . Business School, University of New South Wales.

Structure and Writing Style

A case analysis paper should be detailed, concise, persuasive, clearly written, and professional in tone and in the use of language . As with other forms of college-level academic writing, declarative statements that convey information, provide a fact, or offer an explanation or any recommended courses of action should be based on evidence. If allowed by your professor, any external sources used to support your analysis, such as course readings, should be properly cited under a list of references. The organization and structure of case analysis papers can vary depending on your professor’s preferred format, but its structure generally follows the steps used for analyzing the case.

Introduction

The introduction should provide a succinct but thorough descriptive overview of the main facts, issues, and core problems of the case . The introduction should also include a brief summary of the most relevant details about the situation and organizational setting. This includes defining the theoretical framework or conceptual model on which any questions were used to frame your analysis.

Following the rules of most college-level research papers, the introduction should then inform the reader how the paper will be organized. This includes describing the major sections of the paper and the order in which they will be presented. Unless you are told to do so by your professor, you do not need to preview your final recommendations in the introduction. U nlike most college-level research papers , the introduction does not include a statement about the significance of your findings because a case analysis assignment does not involve contributing new knowledge about a research problem.

Background Analysis

Background analysis can vary depending on any guiding questions provided by your professor and the underlying concept or theory that the case is based upon. In general, however, this section of your paper should focus on:

• Providing an overarching analysis of problems identified from the case scenario, including identifying events that stakeholders find challenging or troublesome,
• Identifying assumptions made by each stakeholder and any apparent biases they may exhibit,
• Describing any demands or claims made by or forced upon key stakeholders, and
• Highlighting any issues of concern or complaints expressed by stakeholders in response to those demands or claims.

These aspects of the case are often in the form of behavioral responses expressed by individuals or groups within the organizational setting. However, note that problems in a case situation can also be reflected in data [or the lack thereof] and in the decision-making, operational, cultural, or institutional structure of the organization. Additionally, demands or claims can be either internal and external to the organization [e.g., a case analysis involving a president considering arms sales to Saudi Arabia could include managing internal demands from White House advisors as well as demands from members of Congress].

Throughout this section, present all relevant evidence from the case that supports your analysis. Do not simply claim there is a problem, an assumption, a demand, or a concern; tell the reader what part of the case informed how you identified these background elements.

Identification of Problems

In most case analysis assignments, there are problems, and then there are problems . Each problem can reflect a multitude of underlying symptoms that are detrimental to the interests of the organization. The purpose of identifying problems is to teach students how to differentiate between problems that vary in severity, impact, and relative importance. Given this, problems can be described in three general forms: those that must be addressed immediately, those that should be addressed but the impact is not severe, and those that do not require immediate attention and can be set aside for the time being.

All of the problems you identify from the case should be identified in this section of your paper, with a description based on evidence explaining the problem variances. If the assignment asks you to conduct research to further support your assessment of the problems, include this in your explanation. Remember to cite those sources in a list of references. Use specific evidence from the case and apply appropriate concepts, theories, and models discussed in class or in relevant course readings to highlight and explain the key problems [or problem] that you believe must be solved immediately and describe the underlying symptoms and why they are so critical.

Alternative Solutions

This section is where you provide specific, realistic, and evidence-based solutions to the problems you have identified and make recommendations about how to alleviate the underlying symptomatic conditions impacting the organizational setting. For each solution, you must explain why it was chosen and provide clear evidence to support your reasoning. This can include, for example, course readings and class discussions as well as research resources, such as, books, journal articles, research reports, or government documents. In some cases, your professor may encourage you to include personal, anecdotal experiences as evidence to support why you chose a particular solution or set of solutions. Using anecdotal evidence helps promote reflective thinking about the process of determining what qualifies as a core problem and relevant solution .

Throughout this part of the paper, keep in mind the entire array of problems that must be addressed and describe in detail the solutions that might be implemented to resolve these problems.

Recommended Courses of Action

In some case analysis assignments, your professor may ask you to combine the alternative solutions section with your recommended courses of action. However, it is important to know the difference between the two. A solution refers to the answer to a problem. A course of action refers to a procedure or deliberate sequence of activities adopted to proactively confront a situation, often in the context of accomplishing a goal. In this context, proposed courses of action are based on your analysis of alternative solutions. Your description and justification for pursuing each course of action should represent the overall plan for implementing your recommendations.

For each course of action, you need to explain the rationale for your recommendation in a way that confronts challenges, explains risks, and anticipates any counter-arguments from stakeholders. Do this by considering the strengths and weaknesses of each course of action framed in relation to how the action is expected to resolve the core problems presented, the possible ways the action may affect remaining problems, and how the recommended action will be perceived by each stakeholder.

In addition, you should describe the criteria needed to measure how well the implementation of these actions is working and explain which individuals or groups are responsible for ensuring your recommendations are successful. In addition, always consider the law of unintended consequences. Outline difficulties that may arise in implementing each course of action and describe how implementing the proposed courses of action [either individually or collectively] may lead to new problems [both large and small].

Throughout this section, you must consider the costs and benefits of recommending your courses of action in relation to uncertainties or missing information and the negative consequences of success.

The conclusion should be brief and introspective. Unlike a research paper, the conclusion in a case analysis paper does not include a summary of key findings and their significance, a statement about how the study contributed to existing knowledge, or indicate opportunities for future research.

Begin by synthesizing the core problems presented in the case and the relevance of your recommended solutions. This can include an explanation of what you have learned about the case in the context of your answers to the questions provided by your professor. The conclusion is also where you link what you learned from analyzing the case with the course readings or class discussions. This can further demonstrate your understanding of the relationships between the practical case situation and the theoretical and abstract content of assigned readings and other course content.

Problems to Avoid

The literature on case analysis assignments often includes examples of difficulties students have with applying methods of critical analysis and effectively reporting the results of their assessment of the situation. A common reason cited by scholars is that the application of this type of teaching and learning method is limited to applied fields of social and behavioral sciences and, as a result, writing a case analysis paper can be unfamiliar to most students entering college.

After you have drafted your paper, proofread the narrative flow and revise any of these common errors:

• Unnecessary detail in the background section . The background section should highlight the essential elements of the case based on your analysis. Focus on summarizing the facts and highlighting the key factors that become relevant in the other sections of the paper by eliminating any unnecessary information.
• Analysis relies too much on opinion . Your analysis is interpretive, but the narrative must be connected clearly to evidence from the case and any models and theories discussed in class or in course readings. Any positions or arguments you make should be supported by evidence.
• Analysis does not focus on the most important elements of the case . Your paper should provide a thorough overview of the case. However, the analysis should focus on providing evidence about what you identify are the key events, stakeholders, issues, and problems. Emphasize what you identify as the most critical aspects of the case to be developed throughout your analysis. Be thorough but succinct.
• Writing is too descriptive . A paper with too much descriptive information detracts from your analysis of the complexities of the case situation. Questions about what happened, where, when, and by whom should only be included as essential information leading to your examination of questions related to why, how, and for what purpose.
• Inadequate definition of a core problem and associated symptoms . A common error found in case analysis papers is recommending a solution or course of action without adequately defining or demonstrating that you understand the problem. Make sure you have clearly described the problem and its impact and scope within the organizational setting. Ensure that you have adequately described the root causes w hen describing the symptoms of the problem.
• Recommendations lack specificity . Identify any use of vague statements and indeterminate terminology, such as, “A particular experience” or “a large increase to the budget.” These statements cannot be measured and, as a result, there is no way to evaluate their successful implementation. Provide specific data and use direct language in describing recommended actions.
• Unrealistic, exaggerated, or unattainable recommendations . Review your recommendations to ensure that they are based on the situational facts of the case. Your recommended solutions and courses of action must be based on realistic assumptions and fit within the constraints of the situation. Also note that the case scenario has already happened, therefore, any speculation or arguments about what could have occurred if the circumstances were different should be revised or eliminated.

Bee, Lian Song et al. "Business Students' Perspectives on Case Method Coaching for Problem-Based Learning: Impacts on Student Engagement and Learning Performance in Higher Education." Education & Training 64 (2022): 416-432; The Case Analysis . Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors. Grand Valley State University; Georgallis, Panikos and Kayleigh Bruijn. "Sustainability Teaching using Case-Based Debates." Journal of International Education in Business 15 (2022): 147-163; Hawes, Jon M. "Teaching is Not Telling: The Case Method as a Form of Interactive Learning." Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education 5 (Winter 2004): 47-54; Georgallis, Panikos, and Kayleigh Bruijn. "Sustainability Teaching Using Case-based Debates." Journal of International Education in Business 15 (2022): 147-163; .Dean,  Kathy Lund and Charles J. Fornaciari. "How to Create and Use Experiential Case-Based Exercises in a Management Classroom." Journal of Management Education 26 (October 2002): 586-603; Klebba, Joanne M. and Janet G. Hamilton. "Structured Case Analysis: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in a Marketing Case Course." Journal of Marketing Education 29 (August 2007): 132-137, 139; Klein, Norman. "The Case Discussion Method Revisited: Some Questions about Student Skills." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 30-32; Mukherjee, Arup. "Effective Use of In-Class Mini Case Analysis for Discovery Learning in an Undergraduate MIS Course." The Journal of Computer Information Systems 40 (Spring 2000): 15-23; Pessoa, Silviaet al. "Scaffolding the Case Analysis in an Organizational Behavior Course: Making Analytical Language Explicit." Journal of Management Education 46 (2022): 226-251: Ramsey, V. J. and L. D. Dodge. "Case Analysis: A Structured Approach." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 27-29; Schweitzer, Karen. "How to Write and Format a Business Case Study." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-and-format-a-business-case-study-466324 (accessed December 5, 2022); Reddy, C. D. "Teaching Research Methodology: Everything's a Case." Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods 18 (December 2020): 178-188; Volpe, Guglielmo. "Case Teaching in Economics: History, Practice and Evidence." Cogent Economics and Finance 3 (December 2015). doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2015.1120977.

Writing Tip

Ca se Study and Case Analysis Are Not the Same!

Confusion often exists between what it means to write a paper that uses a case study research design and writing a paper that analyzes a case; they are two different types of approaches to learning in the social and behavioral sciences. Professors as well as educational researchers contribute to this confusion because they often use the term "case study" when describing the subject of analysis for a case analysis paper. But you are not studying a case for the purpose of generating a comprehensive, multi-faceted understanding of a research problem. R ather, you are critically analyzing a specific scenario to argue logically for recommended solutions and courses of action that lead to optimal outcomes applicable to professional practice.

To avoid any confusion, here are twelve characteristics that delineate the differences between writing a paper using the case study research method and writing a case analysis paper:

• Case study is a method of in-depth research and rigorous inquiry ; case analysis is a reliable method of teaching and learning . A case study is a modality of research that investigates a phenomenon for the purpose of creating new knowledge, solving a problem, or testing a hypothesis using empirical evidence derived from the case being studied. Often, the results are used to generalize about a larger population or within a wider context. The writing adheres to the traditional standards of a scholarly research study. A case analysis is a pedagogical tool used to teach students how to reflect and think critically about a practical, real-life problem in an organizational setting.
• The researcher is responsible for identifying the case to study; a case analysis is assigned by your professor . As the researcher, you choose the case study to investigate in support of obtaining new knowledge and understanding about the research problem. The case in a case analysis assignment is almost always provided, and sometimes written, by your professor and either given to every student in class to analyze individually or to a small group of students, or students select a case to analyze from a predetermined list.
• A case study is indeterminate and boundless; a case analysis is predetermined and confined . A case study can be almost anything [see item 9 below] as long as it relates directly to examining the research problem. This relationship is the only limit to what a researcher can choose as the subject of their case study. The content of a case analysis is determined by your professor and its parameters are well-defined and limited to elucidating insights of practical value applied to practice.
• Case study is fact-based and describes actual events or situations; case analysis can be entirely fictional or adapted from an actual situation . The entire content of a case study must be grounded in reality to be a valid subject of investigation in an empirical research study. A case analysis only needs to set the stage for critically examining a situation in practice and, therefore, can be entirely fictional or adapted, all or in-part, from an actual situation.
• Research using a case study method must adhere to principles of intellectual honesty and academic integrity; a case analysis scenario can include misleading or false information . A case study paper must report research objectively and factually to ensure that any findings are understood to be logically correct and trustworthy. A case analysis scenario may include misleading or false information intended to deliberately distract from the central issues of the case. The purpose is to teach students how to sort through conflicting or useless information in order to come up with the preferred solution. Any use of misleading or false information in academic research is considered unethical.
• Case study is linked to a research problem; case analysis is linked to a practical situation or scenario . In the social sciences, the subject of an investigation is most often framed as a problem that must be researched in order to generate new knowledge leading to a solution. Case analysis narratives are grounded in real life scenarios for the purpose of examining the realities of decision-making behavior and processes within organizational settings. A case analysis assignments include a problem or set of problems to be analyzed. However, the goal is centered around the act of identifying and evaluating courses of action leading to best possible outcomes.
• The purpose of a case study is to create new knowledge through research; the purpose of a case analysis is to teach new understanding . Case studies are a choice of methodological design intended to create new knowledge about resolving a research problem. A case analysis is a mode of teaching and learning intended to create new understanding and an awareness of uncertainty applied to practice through acts of critical thinking and reflection.
• A case study seeks to identify the best possible solution to a research problem; case analysis can have an indeterminate set of solutions or outcomes . Your role in studying a case is to discover the most logical, evidence-based ways to address a research problem. A case analysis assignment rarely has a single correct answer because one of the goals is to force students to confront the real life dynamics of uncertainly, ambiguity, and missing or conflicting information within professional practice. Under these conditions, a perfect outcome or solution almost never exists.
• Case study is unbounded and relies on gathering external information; case analysis is a self-contained subject of analysis . The scope of a case study chosen as a method of research is bounded. However, the researcher is free to gather whatever information and data is necessary to investigate its relevance to understanding the research problem. For a case analysis assignment, your professor will often ask you to examine solutions or recommended courses of action based solely on facts and information from the case.
• Case study can be a person, place, object, issue, event, condition, or phenomenon; a case analysis is a carefully constructed synopsis of events, situations, and behaviors . The research problem dictates the type of case being studied and, therefore, the design can encompass almost anything tangible as long as it fulfills the objective of generating new knowledge and understanding. A case analysis is in the form of a narrative containing descriptions of facts, situations, processes, rules, and behaviors within a particular setting and under a specific set of circumstances.
• Case study can represent an open-ended subject of inquiry; a case analysis is a narrative about something that has happened in the past . A case study is not restricted by time and can encompass an event or issue with no temporal limit or end. For example, the current war in Ukraine can be used as a case study of how medical personnel help civilians during a large military conflict, even though circumstances around this event are still evolving. A case analysis can be used to elicit critical thinking about current or future situations in practice, but the case itself is a narrative about something finite and that has taken place in the past.
• Multiple case studies can be used in a research study; case analysis involves examining a single scenario . Case study research can use two or more cases to examine a problem, often for the purpose of conducting a comparative investigation intended to discover hidden relationships, document emerging trends, or determine variations among different examples. A case analysis assignment typically describes a stand-alone, self-contained situation and any comparisons among cases are conducted during in-class discussions and/or student presentations.

The Case Analysis . Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors. Grand Valley State University; Mills, Albert J. , Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010; Ramsey, V. J. and L. D. Dodge. "Case Analysis: A Structured Approach." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 27-29; Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods . 6th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2017; Crowe, Sarah et al. “The Case Study Approach.” BMC Medical Research Methodology 11 (2011):  doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-11-100; Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods . 4th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing; 1994.

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Case Summary

Case summary generator.

Studying the law can be very confusing and demanding. The law in itself is very complicated and things stated can sometimes mean differently than the literal. However, even if it can get confusing it is important to study the law in order for you to fully understand the how it works and why it is implemented in the first place. You may also see summary writing examples and samples.

What is a Case Summary?

A case summary is a brief document that outlines the key facts, legal issues, and outcomes of a legal case. It simplifies the complex details of the case for easy understanding and reference, highlighting the court’s decision and the rationale behind it. Case summaries are essential tools in legal studies and practice for quick analysis and reference.

Case Summary Format

Case Name : Include the full name of the case (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education). Citation : Provide the legal citation (e.g., 347 U.S. 483 (1954)).

Introduction

Background : Briefly introduce the context and background of the case. Parties Involved : Name the parties involved in the case (plaintiff vs. defendant).

Situation Overview : Outline the key facts and events leading up to the legal dispute. Relevant Details : Highlight any specific details that are crucial to understanding the case’s context.

Legal Issues

Questions at Hand : Identify the main legal questions or issues that the court needed to resolve.

Arguments Presented

Plaintiff’s Arguments : Summarize the main arguments or claims made by the plaintiff. Defendant’s Arguments : Summarize the main arguments or claims made by the defendant.

Decision and Rationale

Court’s Decision : State the outcome of the case (who won and the verdict). Legal Reasoning : Explain the court’s reasoning and the legal principles applied in reaching its decision.

Significance of the Case

Implications : Discuss the case’s implications for future legal interpretations, law, or society. Precedents Set : If applicable, mention any legal precedents the case established.

Summary : Conclude with a brief recap of the case’s importance and its impact on the legal landscape.

Sources : List any additional sources or references used in preparing the case summary.

The Purpose of a Case Summary

• Simplifying Complex Information : To distill lengthy and complex legal rulings into concise, understandable formats.
• Quick Reference : To provide a quick and accessible reference to the essential facts, legal issues, and outcomes of a case.
• Educational Tool : To serve as an educational resource for law students and others learning about legal principles and case law.
• Legal Research Aid : To facilitate legal research by offering summaries of key cases, making it easier to identify and understand relevant legal precedents.
• Preparation for Legal Proceedings : To assist lawyers and legal professionals in preparing for court appearances, negotiations, or client advisories by summarizing pertinent cases.
• Highlighting Legal Reasoning : To outline the court’s reasoning and the legal principles applied, aiding in the understanding of how legal decisions are made.
• Time Efficiency : To save time for legal professionals and students by providing quick access to the essence of a case without the need to read through the entire judgment.
• Case Management : To help manage and organize legal cases by summarizing and cataloging important case details and outcomes for future reference.

Types of Case Summary

• Legal Case Summary : Focuses on legal cases, outlining the facts, legal issues, arguments, decisions, and reasoning of the court.
• Medical Case Summary : Summarizes patient cases, including medical history, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, often used in medical education and research.
• Business Case Summary : Provides an overview of business scenarios, including strategic challenges, actions taken, results, and lessons learned, useful for business studies and planning.
• Educational Case Summary : Used in academic research, summarizing educational scenarios, methodologies, findings, and implications for practice or policy.
• Technical Case Summary : Summarizes technical projects or problems, solutions implemented, results, and key takeaways, often used in engineering and IT.
• Research Case Summary : Condenses research studies or experiments, highlighting the purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions.
• Policy Case Summary : Outlines policy decisions, the rationale, implementation strategies, outcomes, and impacts, useful in public administration and policy studies.
• Historical Case Summary : Provides concise overviews of historical events, significant figures, and outcomes, aiding in the study of history and social sciences.

Key Components of an Effective Case Summary

• Case Name and Citation : The official name of the case and its citation for easy reference.
• Background Information : A brief overview of the factual background and the events leading up to the legal dispute.
• Parties Involved : Identification of the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s), including their roles and stakes in the case.
• Legal Issues : A clear statement of the legal questions or issues that the court needed to decide.
• Arguments Presented : A summary of the key arguments or positions taken by each party.
• Court’s Decision : The outcome of the case, including which party prevailed and any specific orders or judgments made by the court.
• Reasoning and Legal Principles : An explanation of the court’s reasoning and the legal principles or precedents it applied to reach its decision.
• Significance : An assessment of the case’s significance, including its impact on future legal cases, legislation, or legal principles.
• Concurring or Dissenting Opinions : If applicable, a brief overview of any concurring or dissenting opinions and their rationales.
• Date of Decision : The date when the court delivered its decision, providing context in terms of legal history or development.

How to Write a Case Summary: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. read the full case.

Begin by thoroughly reading the entire case to understand the factual background, the legal issues involved, the arguments from both sides, and the court’s decision along with its reasoning.

2. Identify the Key Facts

Extract the essential facts of the case. This includes the parties involved, the nature of the dispute, and the specific circumstances that led to the legal confrontation.

3. Outline the Legal Issues

Identify the main legal questions or issues that the court needed to resolve. This could involve interpretations of the law, legal principles, or the application of law to the case’s facts.

4. Summarize the Arguments

Briefly describe the arguments made by each side. Highlight the key points raised in support of their positions, including any legal precedents or statutes they relied on.

5. Detail the Court’s Decision

Summarize the court’s ruling on the case. Include which party won, the reasons for the decision, and any legal principles the court established or applied.

6. Explain the Reasoning

Delve into the rationale behind the court’s decision. This involves explaining how the court interpreted the law, applied it to the facts of the case, and the precedents it considered.

7. Note the Significance

If applicable, mention the broader implications of the case. This could include its impact on future legal cases, changes to the law, or its significance in legal history.

8. Keep It Concise

Ensure your summary is clear and to the point. Use plain language and avoid unnecessary legal jargon. The goal is to make the case understandable to someone not familiar with the case or the law.

9. Review for Accuracy

Double-check your summary to ensure it accurately reflects the case’s facts, legal issues, and the court’s decision. Accuracy is paramount in legal writing.

10. Cite the Case

Finally, provide a proper citation for the case. This allows readers to locate the full text of the decision if they wish to delve deeper into the details.

The Role of Case Summaries

• Efficient Research : Case summaries allow legal professionals and students to quickly identify relevant cases and understand their implications without having to read through entire judgments. This efficiency is crucial in legal research, where time is often of the essence.
• Understanding Legal Precedents : They provide a clear overview of the legal precedents set by previous cases. This understanding is essential for formulating legal arguments and for predicting how current cases may be resolved based on past decisions.
• Educational Purposes : For law students, case summaries are invaluable educational tools that aid in grasping complex legal concepts and learning how to apply them in real-world scenarios.
• Preparation for Legal Practice : They prepare practitioners for court appearances and client consultations by providing quick access to relevant case law, ensuring that legal advice and courtroom arguments are well-informed and up to date.
• Legal Analysis and Writing : Case summaries are often the starting point for deeper legal analysis and academic writing. They provide the foundational knowledge necessary for critiquing legal decisions or exploring their broader implications for the law and society.
• Facilitating Discussion and Debate : By presenting the essential elements of cases succinctly, case summaries facilitate discussion and debate among legal professionals and scholars, helping to foster a deeper understanding of the law.

13+ Case Summary Examples

Case brief summary template.

Law Student Case Brief Summary Sheet Template

Case Summary Guide

Case Summary Format Example

Case Summary Template Example

Case Summary Example

Elements of a Case Summary

Since a case summary or case brief is primarily a tool used for studying, it should be structured to meet your own needs. Here are several basic components of a brief that are present in almost all brief styles:

• Simply put, these are all the pertinent information and facts of the case. These are the important facts that heavily influence the case. You may also see examples of writing a narrative summary .
• This is the issue or the problem that is addressed in the case. This pertains to the legal questions are posed by the appealing party.
• This is the ruling of the court. This is about the decision of the court and how the court made its decision about the case. You may also like interview summary examples .
• This is your explanation on why the court ruled the way that it did. The rationale is your personal explanation regarding the process of how and why the court decided on its ruling of the case.

Free Case Summary Example

Simple Case Brief Example

Sample Case Brief Summary

People Hall Sample Case Brief

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Case Summary

• Overcomplicating the Summary : Avoid using unnecessary legal jargon or overly complex language. The goal is clarity and accessibility.
• Including Irrelevant Details : Focus on the key facts, legal issues, and outcomes. Extraneous information can detract from the summary’s purpose.
• Omitting Key Information : Make sure to include all crucial aspects of the case, such as the main legal issues, the court’s decision, and the rationale behind it.
• Failing to Clearly Identify Legal Principles : Clearly articulate the legal principles or precedents established by the case, as these are often the most important takeaways.
• Lack of Structure : A well-organized summary with clear headings and a logical flow is much easier to follow. Avoid presenting information in a disorganized manner.
• Misinterpreting the Case : Ensure you have a thorough understanding of the case to avoid inaccuracies in your summary. Misinterpretation can mislead readers.
• Neglecting the Court’s Reasoning : Merely stating the outcome without explaining the court’s reasoning omits a critical component of the case’s significance.
• Forgetting to Cite Properly : Always provide a proper citation for the case at the beginning or end of the summary. This allows readers to find the full text if needed.
• Not Reviewing for Accuracy and Completeness : Double-check your summary to ensure it accurately reflects the case’s facts and legal issues, and that it’s complete.
• Ignoring the Case’s Broader Implications : When relevant, mention the broader legal and societal implications of the case to provide context and enhance understanding.

How Do You Read a Case Summary?

To read a case summary, start with the introduction to understand the context, then move through the sections detailing the facts, legal issues, arguments, court’s decision, and reasoning. Focus on understanding the legal principles and outcomes.

How Do You Write a Good Summary for a Case Study?

A good case study summary concisely outlines the situation, the problems or questions posed, the methodology or approach taken, key findings, and the implications or recommendations, maintaining clarity and coherence throughout.

What Does a Case Report Look Like?

A case report typically includes an introduction to the case, a detailed description of the case or patient scenario, the interventions or treatments applied, the outcomes observed, and a discussion on the implications and lessons learned.

How Long Should a Case Summary Be?

A case summary should ideally be brief, often ranging from one to two pages. It needs to succinctly capture the essence of the case, focusing on the most critical elements without extraneous details.

Why Are Case Summaries Important?

Case summaries distill complex legal judgments into accessible overviews, providing essential insights into the case’s facts, legal issues, and outcomes. They are crucial for legal education, research, and practice, facilitating quick and efficient understanding.

How Do You Write a Summary and Conclusion for a Case Study?

Summarize the case study by highlighting the main points, findings, and implications. The conclusion should reflect on the study’s significance, recommend actions based on findings, and suggest areas for future research or consideration.

How to Write a Case Report?

To write a case report, start with an introduction that outlines the reason for the report, describe the case with emphasis on unique aspects, detail the interventions made, present the outcomes, and conclude with the case’s broader implications.

What is an Example of a Case Study?

An example of a case study could be an analysis of a business strategy at a leading tech company, examining how its approach to innovation and market challenges led to its current market position, focusing on specific strategies and outcomes.

How Long Should a Case Report Be?

The length of a case report can vary but is typically concise, often between 500 and 1500 words. It should be long enough to provide a comprehensive overview of the case, yet concise enough to maintain reader interest and focus on key insights

In conclusion, if you a currently studying the law, props to you; it is not an easy feat. In fact even summary a case can be difficult and requires a lot of time and understanding. And perhaps the most important thing to remember before you even start briefing or summarizing a case is that read. If you feel like you know enough about the case read again; thoroughly and carefully so you can objectively comprehend the facts pertaining to the case to make an objective summary .

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Case Study Summarizer

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How to Use EssayGPT's Case Study Summarizer?

Have a case study that needs to be summarized? Here's how to create a concise and insightful case study summary with our tool.

• 1. Enter the Details: Paste your lengthy case study into the field. Select your target audience, tone of voice, and output language.
• 2. Push to Produce: Hit the button to kick off the AI-powered summarization process. Our AI instantly gets to work.
• 3. Rinse and Repeat: Review the result. Want more versions? Simply hit the button again.

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Our Online Case Study Summarizer Benefits You in The Following Ways

• Time and Effort Saver : Summarising feels like an eternity? Our tool condenses hours into seconds. Perfect for those never-ending academic papers.
• Quality on Point : Think of our tool as a Michelin-starred chef, selecting only the finest info. Advanced algorithms do the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.
• Engaging and Effective : Our summaries are short, snappy, and pack a punch. Ideal for sharing with teams or keeping as a golden nugget of reference.
• Accessibility and User-Friendly : In a rush? Our summarizer is your lifesaver. All you have to do is paste your content and click the button.
• A Tool for All : Students, educators, and professionals - our summarizer is the Swiss Army knife in your intellectual toolkit.

Who May Need Our Case Study Summarizer?

Whether you’re a student, a business professional, or just a curious soul, EssayGPT is your ally. Our case study summarizer helps you dissect case studies across various fields.

From medical research to market trends, we help you extract the essence. It’s not just about summarising; it’s about empowering you with knowledge.

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Want to Summarize More Than Just Case Study? Check Out Our Other AI Summarizer Tools

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What is a case study summarizer?

It's an AI-powered tool that analyses and condenses lengthy case studies into shorter, digestible summaries highlighting key findings and insights.

How to evaluate the accuracy of the online case study summarizer?

Compare the summary with the original case study. Check if the key points are captured and the essence is maintained. Also, look for feedback from other users for additional insights.

Is EssayGPT's case study summarizer reliable to use?

As one of the most trusted and free AI summary generators , EssayGPT's case study summarizer can condense voluminous PDFs into concise bullet points or smoothly connected paragraphs in a flash.From business and management to medical and legal, our summarizer is versatile and can handle case studies across a wide spectrum of fields.

Can I get a case study summary from EssayGPT for educational purposes?

Absolutely! Our summarizer is a great tool for students and educators looking to condense case studies for coursework or to gain insights into real-world scenarios.

Can EssayGPT's case study summarizer be used to generate new insights or ideas?

Yes, our AI analyses the case study and can help in generating new insights or ideas by highlighting patterns and information that might not be immediately apparent.

Can I get a non-English case study summary from EssayGPT?

Yes, EssayGPT supports multiple languages. However, availability and accuracy might vary depending on the language.

Simplify Your Analysis with Our Case Study Summarizer

Decode complex narratives with EssayGPT’s case study summarizer. Collaborate with EssayGPT to transform detailed case studies into succinct, clear insights. Start synthesizing knowledge now!

How To Summarize A Case Study

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Case studies are an important research tool used by businesses, marketers, and academics to gain insight into a particular situation or problem. They are often used to analyze customer experiences, product performance, and market trends. Summarizing a case study is a critical skill for any researcher, as it allows them to quickly and effectively convey the key points of the study to their audience. In this article, we’ll discuss the best practices for summarizing a case study and provide tips for making your summary as effective as possible.

What Is A Case Study?

A case study is an in-depth examination of a particular situation or problem. It is used to analyze customer experiences, product performance, and market trends. Case studies are often used to identify potential solutions to a problem or to gain insight into a particular situation. They can also be used to compare different approaches to solving a problem or to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular solution.

Why Summarize A Case Study?

Summarizing a case study is an important skill for any researcher, as it allows them to quickly and effectively convey the key points of the study to their audience. Summarizing a case study can help you make sure that your audience understands the key points of the study and can help you focus on the most important aspects of the study. Additionally, summarizing a case study can help you save time, as it allows you to quickly review the key points of the study without having to read through the entire document.

Tips For Summarizing A Case Study

1. read the entire study.

The first step in summarizing a case study is to read the entire study. This will help you get a better understanding of the key points of the study and will help you identify the most important aspects of the study. Additionally, reading the entire study will help you identify any potential gaps or areas that need further exploration.

2. Identify the Main Points

Once you’ve read the entire study, the next step is to identify the main points of the study. This can be done by looking for key words or phrases that are repeated throughout the study. Additionally, you can look for any conclusions or recommendations that the study makes. Identifying the main points of the study will help you focus your summary and ensure that you are conveying the most important aspects of the study.

3. Write a Clear Summary

Once you’ve identified the main points of the study, the next step is to write a clear and concise summary. This should include a brief overview of the study, the main points of the study, and any conclusions or recommendations that the study makes. Additionally, you should include any key words or phrases that are repeated throughout the study. Writing a clear and concise summary will help ensure that your audience understands the key points of the study.

4. Use SEO Optimization

When summarizing a case study, it’s important to use SEO optimization to ensure that your summary is easily found by search engines. This can be done by including relevant keywords and phrases throughout the summary. Additionally, you should include a meta description that accurately describes the content of the summary. Using SEO optimization will help ensure that your summary is easily found by search engines and will help your summary rank higher in search engine results.

5. Edit and Proofread

Once you’ve written your summary, the next step is to edit and proofread it. This will help ensure that your summary is clear, concise, and free of any errors. Additionally, it will help ensure that your summary conveys the key points of the study accurately and effectively. Editing and proofreading your summary will help ensure that your summary is of the highest quality and will help ensure that your audience understands the key points of the study.

Summarizing a case study is an important skill for any researcher, as it allows them to quickly and effectively convey the key points of the study to their audience. In this article, we’ve discussed the best practices for summarizing a case study and provided tips for making your summary as effective as possible. By following these tips, you can ensure that your summary is clear, concise, and free of any errors. Additionally, you can use SEO optimization to ensure that your summary is easily found by search engines and will help your summary rank higher in search engine results.

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Case Study Summarizer #1 — Free Summaries!

Have you ever thought of how many case studies must a student in medicine or business read in their lifetime? Tens, hundreds, or even thousands! As practice shows, the case study’s content is jam-packed with information and broad descriptions that are unnecessary when conducting a review or simply reading the literature.

We offer a Case Study Summarizer to scan any paper in seconds! You will get some valuable insights about our tool that can help with the most extended case studies in a short time! Moreover, we discuss the definition of the case study, its structure, and its main elements. Let’s begin!

• 🧰 How to Use the Tool?

📋 What Is the Case Study Summarizer?

🧩 case study elements & structure, 🧑‍🏫 how to summarize a case study.

• ✅ 5 Tool’s Benefits

🖇️ References

🧰 how to use the case summarizer.

Our free case study summarizer is so easy to use! Follow these 4 simple steps:

• Enter the text . Paste the text of the case study in the appropriate field of the tool. Ensure that it does not exceed 15,000 characters.
• Adjust settings . You can choose the number of sentences you want in your summary and decide whether to highlight keywords.
• Press the button . Just click the button, and the results will not keep you waiting!
• Copy the result . Your summary will appear in just a few seconds! All you need to do is just copy it in one click.

Do you still have concerns about using our case study summarizer? Then check out its incredible features:

A case study is typically presented as a report, separated into sections with headings and subheadings. It must contain a description of the issue, an explanation of the relevance of the case, and an analysis with conclusions. It ends with implications and recommendations on how to address the issue.

What Is a Case Study?

A case study is a detailed investigation of one person, group, or event. It aims to learn as much as possible about an individual or a group to generalize the findings on other similar cases. The case study can be employed in various fields, including psychology, medicine, social work, etc.

Here are some case study topics from different professional spheres:

• Medicine : Analysis of the medical and occupational records of a non-smoking individual with lung cancer.
• Business : The decision of Warren Buffett to acquire Precision Castparts Corporation and why that acquisition was a mistake.
• Psychology : The case of Bertha Pappenheim , who suffered from hysteria and contributed to the development of talk therapy to treat mental illness.

Case Study Elements

There are 8 essential elements in any case study. Check the table below to learn more details about each component.

Summarizing is a fundamental skill for everyone since it allows you to distinguish essential information and effectively communicate it to others. In the following paragraphs, we will share a case study summary tutorial.

Executive Summary Case Study

An executive summary is a detailed overview of a report. It saves readers time by summarizing the essential points of the study. It is frequently written to be shared with people who may not have time to read the complete report, for example, CEOs or department heads.

Although the format may vary, the primary elements of an executive summary are as follows:

• An opening statement and some background information .
• The purpose of the report.
• Methodology.
• Summarized and justified recommendations.

How Long Is an Executive Summary?

Your executive summary’s length will vary depending on the text it summarizes. Typically, it takes 10-15% of the full report’s length . Therefore, an executive summary can range from 1 paragraph to 10 pages.

Case Study Summary Guide

Take these 5 steps to write a compelling case study summary:

Step 1 – Read the entire study

Before writing the summary, carefully read the research study from beginning to end.

Step 2 – Highlight the major points

As you read, make notes and underline significant facts, relevant conclusions, and suggested actions.

Step 3 – Divide the document into main sections

Determine what each part of the report is about, and summarize each in a few sentences. You can use the executive summary structure mentioned above to guide your writing.

Step 4 – Be concise

Do not write more than 10% of the length of the original document.

Step 5 – Proofread your summary

Reread your case study summary to ensure it makes sense as an independent piece of writing. Set it aside for a while and look at it with fresh eyes to notice any incoherence and redundant or lacking details.

✒️️ Case Study Summary Example

We have prepared an example of a case study summary for you to see how everything works in practice!

Here is the full report: Akron’s Children’s Hospital: Case Study .

Now, check its summarized version:

Akron Children’s Hospital is a leading pediatric hospital in Northeastern Ohio that faces competition and needs to differentiate itself to attract more patients. To gain insight into the decision-making process of patients' parents, the hospital hired a team of researchers led by Marcus Thomas LLC to conduct business and market analysis.

An observational study was conducted to collect consumer data, including perceptions of the hospital and the criteria used to select it. The problem was that a highly competitive medical industry in Northeastern Ohio resulted in reduced patient volume and financial losses at Akron Children’s Hospital.

The proposed solution was to rethink the hospital’s operations and marketing approach to differentiate it from the competitors and attract more patients. Furthermore, the treatment of certain groups of children had to be improved by increasing the number of specializations available at the hospital.

The organization was recommended to develop an efficient marketing strategy, enhance service delivery, and implement highly innovative medical technologies and procedures.

✅ 5 Benefits of the Case Summarizer You Should Consider

Still in doubt whether our case study summary tool is worth using? Check out its benefits:

• It is time-saving . The online tool is perfect for students in medicine or psychology since it allows for consuming a lot of information in a short time.
• It is easy to use . The interface of our case summarizer is so simple to navigate that even a child can handle it.
• It is unlimited . Try our online summarizer as many times as you need. There are no limitations!
• It is free . You can summarize a case study online in a few minutes without spending money. Such a considerable benefit for prudent students!
• It is accurate . The case summary generator uses essential keywords and phrases to isolate only the most relevant information.
• Executive Summary | USC Libraries
• Case Studies | Carnegie Mellon University
• Writing a Case Study | Monash University
• Guidelines for Writing a Summary | Hunter College
• Executive Summaries | Colorado State University

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BONUS : Read the case study how-to guide .

Case Study Template

Good case studies tell a compelling story to potential clients of how your company rose to the occasion. The Case Study Template will help you showcase your company’s credibility in solving a particularly challenging client problem and prove to potential clients that you have what it takes to perform well. Specifically, case studies can help you:

• Highlight your expertise in delivering measurable results based on KPIs.
• Position your brand as an authority in your industry to attract potential customers.
• Provide visual proof of your skills, experience, and expertise as a company.
• Showcase your perseverance in handling difficult projects or campaigns.

Xtensio is your team space for beautiful living documents. Create , manage and share business collateral, easily. Join the 256,643 changemakers.

Other Case Study Templates

How to create an effective Case Study with Xtensio

• Click and start editing, no account or credit card required. Follow along with the instructional copy. Add charts, graphs, images, and videos to customize your case study. Drag & drop. Resize. It’s the easiest editor ever.
• Customize everything to match your brand. Define your style guide; Add your (or your client’s) brand fonts and colors. You can even pull colors directly from a website to easily brand your case studies.
• Work on the key details of your case study together on the cloud. Add colleagues (or clients) to collaborate on the case study template. Changes automatically save and sync across all devices, in real-time.
• Share a link. Present a slideshow. Embed. Download a PDF/PNG. Your case study seamlessly adapts to your workflow. No more jumping from tool-to-tool to create different types of deliverables.
• Reuse and repurpose. Save your own custom case study templates. Or copy and merge into other documents.

Follow along step-by-step with the Case Study how-to guide .

What is a case study?

An effective case study is a great way to show potential clients, customers, and stakeholders how valuable your product or service is by explaining how your business solved a particularly challenging client problem.

Marketing case studies examine a single client situation in-depth and provide a detailed analysis of how your organization resolved the challenge.

The best case studies not only tell a story about your company but also contain some hard measurable metrics. This allows you to highlight your successes in a way that will make an ideal potential customer become your customer. Essentially, a case study is an effective way to learn about your business and a great marketing tool.

When looking for potential projects to use for a case study, look for ones that:

• Involved a particular challenge that required a unique set of skills that your company possesses
• Received special awards, press coverage or accolades
• Involved a high profile project
• Involved a well-known (preferably Fortune 500) brand or company

The most important element of your case study is that it must show a real-life example to relate to your target client. While a good case study showcases your company, a great case study makes the reader want to start a conversation with you.

What information should be included in a case study?

The first thing to consider is who will be reading your case studies. Messages and their delivery resonate differently, depending on who is on the receiving end. For example, a thirty-something software entrepreneur will measure success differently than a fifty-something CEO of a large corporation. Understanding your target audience will help you tell your case study in a way that will effectively speak to them.

When gathering information for your case study, interview happy customers and ask questions to your potential case study subject that align with the story you are trying to tell. No case study will be the same, and your questions will vary from client to client.

Before you contact the customer, consider interview questions so you have an idea of what you need to produce a compelling case study demonstrating your potential to succeed.

At the end of the information-gathering process, you should have a solid understanding of the following to outline how your product was the best solution for the customers’ particular challenge:

• The client’s initial challenge
• Why did the client choose your company
• Your company’s approach to the problem
• The solution and implementation process
• The results and final measures of success

Some questions to ask your client during the initial interview:

• Can you give a brief description of your company?
• How did you first hear about our product or service?
• What challenges or pain points prompted using our product? 
• What were you looking for in a solution to your problem? 
• Did you have any roadblocks while using our product? 

Don’t forget to talk to your colleagues and get their perspectives on the project when writing your case study. You may also want to include some quotes from internal stakeholders or project leads to make an even more compelling case study.

How do you write a case study?

When writing a case study, make sure you know who you’re talking to. Your audience, i.e. who would be interested in your product or service, should be your main focus when you create a case study. Once you’ve compiled your facts, format the story so that it will appeal to potential customers.

The format and content of case study templates vary, but in general, your business case study should look like a strong landing page: brief, pictorial, and engaging.

Xtensio’s case study template includes instructional copy to show you everything you need to know to create a real-life example of your company’s strengths. The template is organized into sections and modules designed to make your case study flow like a well-planned story and we’ve broken the template into three main sections: the snapshot, the body and the footer. 

The Snapshot

This section is designed to give a quick overview of your story and prompt readers to want to learn more. Consider it an executive summary, a book cover, or a brief description in an online store. It should have enough information to grab a potential customer’s attention, but not so much that they will stop reading. Include client details, the project name, and a brief description of the problem, as well as quantitative metrics that demonstrate your accomplishment.

You can also include the date the case study was originally published here to help potential customers identify if your product or service is a good fit for them right now. 

This section is the meat of your case study and will focus on customer results. Like any good story, it will have a beginning, a middle and an end. Classic western storytelling uses a pretty standard formula that includes a problem, the approach taken to solve it, the solution and the end results. The body of Xtensio’s case study template is divided into four key areas that align to these story elements: the Challenge, the Approach, the Solution and the Results. Here, make sure you explain using your product for a certain use case and describe how your service helped the client.

To close your case study, end with a short paragraph about who your company is, as well as your contact information. This is handy if your business case study becomes separated from your company’s website information somehow.

If you plan on sharing the case study online, make sure to add the links to your website and social media handles, using our social media module. If you are planning to print, then don’t forget to spell out the name of your website and/or add a contact phone number and email address.

Invite feedback and participation by your colleagues and the client by inviting them to collaborate on the case study template in real-time. Once you are satisfied with your case study, you can add it to your website, share it on your social channels, use it in presentations, or send out emails to potential clients. You can also download a pdf version that can be printed and shared. 

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Ductile Iron Pipe: Resilient in the Face of Natural Disasters

Unmatched Resilience in Natural Disasters  

In a world where natural disasters are an ever-present threat to homes, businesses, and communities, the importance of resilient infrastructure cannot be overstated. Ductile iron pipe has proven to be the backbone of reliable water systems, especially during catastrophic events. Natural disasters are unpredictable, but your water infrastructure doesn’t have to be. Learn more about the unmatched value of Ductile iron pipe and its resilience to natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes by contacting one of DIPRA’s Regional Engineers here .

A Proven Track Record

Ductile iron pipe is designed to withstand harsh conditions while maintaining the integrity of water delivery systems. Its resilience was put to the test in a comprehensive study conducted in Birmingham, AL, where a section of Ductile iron pipe was subjected to wildfire temperatures of 1,500°F. Over a grueling 45-minute exposure, the pipe demonstrated its ability to endure extreme heat without any observable physical damage or compromise to its joint integrity.

After cooling, the pipe was subjected to an internal pressure test of 500 psi for five minutes. The results were astonishing—no leaks, no deterioration, and the gasket remained in excellent condition. This test underscores Ductile iron pipe’s capability to withstand temperatures typical of wildfires, which can reach up to 1,472°F, as seen during the devastating CZU Lightning Complex Fire in California, where alternative materials like HDPE failed catastrophically. Read more in the full case study here . 

Climate Resilience and Longevity

In the face of increasingly severe weather events, the choice of materials for water infrastructure becomes critical during and after the event. Ductile iron pipe’s resilience extends beyond wildfires. It can resist the corrosive effects of soil, withstand high internal pressures, and endure the mechanical stresses of heavy earth and traffic loads. This makes it a reliable choice for regions facing wildfires, earthquakes, and other climate-related challenges.

Made with a minimum average of 90% recycled materials and 100% recyclable at its end of life, community leaders must consider the lifetime costs and benefits of their infrastructure investments. Ductile iron pipe, with its century-long service life and minimal maintenance requirements, offers a high return on investment. Its proven performance in real-life scenarios and rigorous testing ensures that it can be trusted to deliver clean, safe drinking water for generations.

Ductile iron pipe stands as a testament to engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. Its unmatched resilience to natural disasters, combined with its long service life and minimal maintenance, makes it the ideal choice for modern water infrastructure. By investing in Ductile iron pipe, communities can ensure reliable, safe, and sustainable water delivery systems that withstand the test of time and the forces of nature.

Learn more about the benefits of Ductile iron pipe by contacting a DIPRA Regional Engineer today !

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Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses

Updated June 5, 2024

This report provides an update to the April 26, 2024, report to include three additional sporadic human cases (1 in Australia and 2 in the United States) and recent activity in wild birds, poultry, and other animals, including the multi-state outbreak in U.S. dairy cattle, and updated information on monitoring for human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in the United States. CDC continues to believe that the overall risk to human health associated with the ongoing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses has not changed and remains low to the U.S. general public at this time.

Executive summary

A small number of sporadic human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) have been identified worldwide since 2022, amidst a panzootic of these viruses in wild birds and poultry. Nearly all   human cases reported globally since 2022 were associated with poultry exposures, and no cases of human-to-human transmission of HPAI A(H5N1) virus have been identified. Three human cases of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in dairy farm workers were reported during April and May 2024 in the United States and were attributed to exposures to dairy cattle. One previous human case was detected in the United States in 2022 during poultry culling work. In a few cases, the source of exposure to HPAI A(H5N1) virus was unknown. To date, HPAI A(H5N1) viruses currently circulating most commonly in birds and poultry, with spillover to mammals and humans, do not have the ability to efficiently bind to receptors that predominate in the human upper respiratory tract. This is a major reason why the current risk to the public from HPAI A(H5N1) viruses remains low. However, because of the potential for influenza viruses to rapidly evolve and the wide global prevalence of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in wild birds and poultry outbreaks and following the identification and spread among dairy cattle in the United States, additional sporadic human infections are anticipated. Continued comprehensive surveillance of these viruses in wild birds, poultry, mammals, and people worldwide, and frequent reassessments are critical to determine the public health risk, along with ongoing preparedness efforts.

• CDC is actively working on the domestic outbreak of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in wild birds, with outbreaks in poultry and backyard flocks, and infections of other animals, including dairy cattle. Response activities include conducting surveillance among people with relevant exposures and preparing for the possibility that contemporary HPAI A(H5N1) viruses gain the ability for increased transmissibility to and among people.
• CDC, along with state and local public health partners, continues to monitor people in the United States who have been exposed to infected birds, poultry, dairy cattle, or other animals for 10 days after their last exposure. To date, more than 9,000 people in 52 jurisdictions have been monitored since 2022.
• H5 candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) produced by CDC are expected to provide good protection against current clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) viruses detected in birds and mammals, including dairy cattle. These H5 CVVs are available and have been shared with vaccine manufacturers.
• Because influenza viruses are constantly changing, CDC performs ongoing analyses of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses to identify genetic changes that might allow for: spread more easily to and between people, more serious illness in people, reduced susceptibility to antivirals, changes in the sensitivity of diagnostic assays, or reduced neutralization of the virus by vaccine induced antibodies. To date, few genetic changes of public health concern have been identified in HPAI A(H5N1) viruses circulating in wild birds and poultry worldwide and detected in dairy cattle in the United States.
• Currently, HPAI A(H5N1) viruses circulating in birds and U.S. dairy cattle are believed to pose a low risk to the general public in the United States; however, people who have job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds or mammals are at higher risk of infection and should take appropriate precautions outlined in CDC guidance .
• Comprehensive surveillance and readiness efforts are ongoing, and CDC continually takes preparedness measures to be ready in case the risk to people from HPAI A(H5N1) virus or from other novel influenza A viruses changes.

HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in wild birds and poultry

Hpai a(h5n1) virus infections among mammals, human cases of a(h5n1), table 1. global reported a(h5n1) human cases, january 2022 through june 4, 2024, figure 1. epidemic curve of human cases of a(h5n1) by illness onset date, 1997-2024 by country (n=912), monitoring of persons exposed to hpai a(h5n1) viruses in the united states, u.s. influenza surveillance for human infections with novel influenza a viruses, including hpai a(h5n1) virus, cdc and u.s. government preparedness activities, limitations of the report, conclusions, previous h5n1 technical reports.

Since 2005, HPAI A(H5N1) viruses have undergone extensive genetic diversification including the formation of hundreds of genotypes following reassortment with other avian influenza A viruses. Clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) viruses emerged in 2020 and were introduced into North America in late 2021 [1,2] and spread to Central and South America, resulting in wild bird infections (in terrestrial, seabird, shorebird, and migratory species) and poultry outbreaks in many countries [3-8]. In Fall 2023, the first detections of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in birds in the Antarctica region were reported [9]. Globally, this 2.3.4.4b clade of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses has become widespread causing record numbers of bird outbreaks in wild, backyard, village, and farm birds.

In the United States,  USDA APHIS monitors for avian influenza A viruses in wild, commercial, and backyard birds. From January 2022 through June 4, 2024, APHIS reported HPAI A(H5)/A(H5N1) virus detections in more than 9,300 wild birds in 50 states or territories and more than 1,140 commercial and backyard flocks affecting more than 96.5 million birds in 48 states.

Sporadic HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections of mammals have been reported since 2003-2004 during HPAI A(H5N1) virus outbreaks in poultry or wild birds [ 10-12 ]. HPAI A(H5) viruses are known to occasionally infect mammals that eat (presumably infected) birds or poultry and mammals that are exposed to environments with a high concentration of virus.

Globally, sporadic HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections and outbreaks in a wide range of mammal species were reported by countries in different regions of the world to the  World Organisation for Animal Health  since January 2022. HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections of mammals have included a polar bear in the United States , farmed mink in  Spain  and  farmed foxes and other mammals in Finland,  harbor and gray seals in the United States,  sea lions in Peru , Argentina , and  Chile , elephant seals in Argentina , baby goats in the United States , alpacas in the United States , and domesticated pets such  as cats in Poland ,  France , South Korea, and the  United States , and dogs in  Italy . During March through June 4, 2024, the United States reported HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections of dairy cows at more than 80 farms in nine states . Spread from dairy farm-to-dairy farm was reported , and routes of transmission are under investigation. In the United States, from May 2022 through June 4, 2024, USDA APHIS reported HPAI A(H5N1) virus detections in wild mammals comprising a wide range of different species in 31 states.

Experimental studies have used the ferret model to assess transmissibility and disease severity of HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. One study used a recombinant virus that was based upon a virus isolated from a mink during a mink farm outbreak in Spain in 2022. When ferrets were experimentally infected with the recombinant HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus, transmission to co-housed susceptible ferrets through direct contact was observed, but transmission through respiratory droplets to separated ferrets was less efficient [ 13 ]. In another study, ferrets experimentally infected with a HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus isolated from a human case in Chile in 2023 transmitted to susceptible ferrets by direct contact but not through respiratory droplets or fomites [ 14 ]. Importantly, in this study, all experimentally infected ferrets experienced fatal disease [ 14 ].

While HPAI A(H5N1) viruses are currently circulating widely in wild birds and poultry in many geographic regions, relatively few human cases of HPAI A(H5N1) have been reported in recent years [ Figure 1 ]. From January 2022 through June 4, 2024, 29 sporadic human cases of A(H5N1) were reported from nine countries, including 15 cases of severe or critical illness, and seven deaths, six cases of mild illness, and eight asymptomatic cases [ Table 1 ].

One human case of HPAI A(H5N1) was reported in the United States in April 2022 while exposed to poultry . The individual reported fatigue without other symptoms during poultry culling activities at a farm with confirmed HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection of poultry, and a low level of A(H5N1) viral RNA was detected in a single upper respiratory tract specimen. It is possible that detection of A(H5N1) viral RNA resulted from deposition of non-infectious viral material in the upper respiratory tract of the individual and did not represent true infection, similar to the environmental contamination that was attributed to two asymptomatic cases in poultry workers reported in Spain [15]. Transient environmental deposition may also explain the detection of A(H5N1) viral RNA in cases of A(H5N1) reported in asymptomatic poultry workers in the U.K. that were investigated as part of a surveillance study [ 16-18 ].

One human case of A(H5N1) was reported in the United States in April 2024 in an adult dairy farm worker . The individual worked at a farm with sick cows presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus in an area in which cows at other dairy farms were confirmed with HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in Texas [ 19 ]. The worker only experienced conjunctivitis without any other signs or symptoms of illness. HPAI A(H5N1) virus was detected in conjunctival and nasopharyngeal swab specimens, and sequence data confirmed clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 , and close genetic relatedness to viruses detected in other dairy cattle farms in Texas. Oseltamivir was provided for treatment of the individual and for post-exposure prophylaxis of household contacts. Conjunctivitis resolved without other symptoms and household contacts remained well [ 19 ]. No additional human cases related to this case were detected.

One human case of A(H5N1) was reported in the United States in May 2024 in an adult dairy farm worker . The individual worked at a farm with sick cows confirmed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus in Michigan. The worker only experienced conjunctivitis. HPAI A(H5N1) virus was detected in a conjunctival swab specimen, and sequence data confirmed clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13, closely related to genotype B3.13 viruses detected in dairy cows were sequenced and shared by USDA. Oseltamivir was offered to the worker and household contacts. No additional human cases related to this case were detected.

One human case of A(H5N1) was reported in the United States in May 2024 in an adult farm worker . The individual worked at a farm with sick cows confirmed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus in Michigan. The worker experienced upper respiratory symptoms. HPAI A(H5N1) virus was detected in a nasopharyngeal swab specimen, and partial HA and full-length NA sequence data confirmed clade 2.3.4.4b, closely related to viruses detected in dairy cows. Oseltamivir was provided for treatment of the individual and for post-exposure prophylaxis of household contacts. No additional human cases related to this case were detected.

Most human cases of HPAI A(H5N1) reported since January 2022 had recent exposure to sick or dead poultry, and no cases of human-to-human HPAI A(H5N1) virus transmission were identified. Fifteen cases (8 children, 7 adults) had severe or critical illness, and seven (3 children, 4 adults) died. Fourteen cases were associated with clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) virus in 7 countries, and eleven cases were associated or assumed to be associated with clade 2.3.2.1c HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in Cambodia and Vietnam. Of the 7 cases of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections that were symptomatic (conjunctivitis or respiratory illness), 4 had severe or critical illness (57%) and one of the 4 died (25%). One case of severe illness in a child in Australia in March 2024 with recent travel history to India was associated with clade 2.3.2.1a HPAI A(H5N1) virus. None of the HPAI A(H5N1) virus genetic sequences contained any known markers of reduced susceptibility to currently recommended FDA-approved influenza antiviral medications.

Genetic data have revealed that when some mammals, including humans, are infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus, the virus may undergo intra-host evolution resulting in genetic changes that allow more efficient replication in the lower respiratory tract or extrapulmonary tissues [20-22]. Some HPAI A(H5N1) viruses that have infected humans in 2023 and 2024 have also shown the same or similar genetic changes as those identified in wild and captive mammals. For example, sequencing of viruses from specimens collected from human cases identified in Cambodia during October and November 2023, in Vietnam in 2024 and in the dairy farm worker in Texas in April 2024 revealed the presence of the polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) 627K marker, which is often associated with mammalian adaptation during infection [ 23 ]. The HPAI A(H5N1) virus sequenced from the human case in Chile identified in March 2023 had different genetic changes (PB2 591K and 701N) that are also associated with mammalian adaptation [ 24 ]. Sequencing of the HPAI A(H5N1) virus from the first dairy farm worker case in Michigan did not identify the PB2 627K marker but revealed the presence of PB2 M631L, that is known to be associated with viral adaptation to mammalian hosts, and which has been detected in 99% of dairy cow sequences but only sporadically in birds [25]. PB2 M631L has been identified as resulting in enhancement of virus replication and disease severity in mice during studies with avian influenza A(H10N7) viruses [ 26 ]. The remainder of the genome of A/Michigan/90/2024 was closely related to sequences detected in infected dairy cows and strongly suggests cow-to-human transmission.

Although these genetic changes may impact mammalian disease outcome, they have not been associated with enhanced transmissibility of the virus to humans. HPAI A(H5N1) viruses preferentially bind to α2,3-linked sialic acid receptors that are prevalent in the respiratory and intestinal tracts of waterfowl and poultry, and in the human lower respiratory tract but do not currently have the ability to easily infect cells and bind efficiently to α2,6-linked sialic acid receptors that are predominant in the human upper respiratory tract [ 2 ].  The ability to bind efficiently to α2,6-linked sialic acid receptors would be needed to increase the risk of transmission to people [ 27,28 ]. Using recombinantly expressed hemagglutinin, analysis of receptor binding of the HPAI A(H5N1) virus identified in the dairy farm worker from Texas (A/Texas/37/2024) revealed binding only to avian-type α2,3-linked sialic acid receptors.

Since 1997, a total of 912 sporadic human A(H5N1) cases have been reported from 24 countries, caused by different HPAI A(H5N1) virus clades [29,30], with a cumulative case fatality proportion of greater than 50%. Human A(H5N1) cases peaked in 2006 (115 cases, 9 countries) and 2015 (145 cases, 4 countries) primarily due to a large epidemic in Egypt with 136 cases [ Figure 1 ].

Nearly all reported human A(H5N1) cases had poultry exposures, such as to sick or dead poultry or visiting live poultry markets. Rare, limited, and non-sustained instances of human-to-human HPAI A(H5N1) virus transmission likely occurred in a small number of family members following prolonged, close unprotected exposure with a symptomatic case-patient during 2004-2007 in multiple countries [ 31-34 ].

Although few human cases have occurred recently, given widespread infection among poultry and wild birds, people who have job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds or sick or dead mammals are at higher risk of infection.

CDC, in collaboration with state, territorial, and local public health partners, has monitored people exposed to infected birds and poultry, cattle, or other animals beginning with their first exposure and for 10 days after their last exposure, from February 2022 through June 4, 2024:

• Total monitored: more than 9,000 people in 52 jurisdictions.
• Total illnesses reported among monitored persons: nearly 200 people.
• Number positive for influenza A(H5N1) virus: 3 people (1 additional case was detected in a dairy farm worker not being monitored).

Of the nearly 200 monitored people showing symptoms who were tested for novel influenza A and seasonal influenza viruses along with other respiratory viruses, HPAI A(H5N1) virus was detected in specimens from 3 persons. HPAI A(H5N1) virus genetic material was detected at a low level in a respiratory specimen from one person in Colorado who experienced fatigue without any other illness signs or symptoms while participating in poultry culling activities. HPAI A(H5N1) virus was detected in a conjunctival swab specimen from one person in Michigan who experienced conjunctivitis without any other illness signs or symptoms while working with sick dairy cattle confirmed with HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection. HPAI A(H5N1) virus genetic material was detected in a nasopharyngeal swab specimen from one person in Michigan who experienced acute respiratory illness while working with sick dairy cattle confirmed with HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection. HPAI A(H5N1) virus was detected in conjunctival swab and nasopharyngeal swab specimens in one person in Texas who was not being monitored who experienced conjunctivitis without any other illness signs or symptoms while working with sick dairy cattle presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus. [See above section on “ Human cases of A(H5N1) .”]

Human infection with a novel influenza A virus, including HPAI A(H5N1) virus, is a nationally notifiable condition (case definition: Novel Influenza A Virus Infections 2014 Case Definition | CDC)

Influenza testing is widely available in clinical laboratories and health care facilities. Assays in these settings would detect A(H5N1) virus infections as influenza A virus positive, and a subset of assays would be able to also determine that they are not influenza A virus subtypes H1 or H3 that commonly circulate among humans. Specimens from persons possibly exposed to HPAI A(H5N1) virus or that test positive for influenza A virus but negative for A(H1) and A(H3) subtypes should be forwarded to the appropriate state or local public health laboratory for further testing. CDC should be notified immediately in the event that any clinical specimens from suspected cases test positive for a novel influenza A virus or if the testing results of clinical specimens from suspected cases are inconclusive . Currently, CDC recommends testing for HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection in symptomatic persons with relevant exposure history . Human infection with a novel influenza A virus is a nationally notifiable condition, and currently confirmatory testing is being done only at CDC. Very few specimens have been submitted to CDC for H5 testing since January 2022.

• Seasonal influenza virus detection assays that can also detect novel influenza A viruses are used in 128 public health laboratories in all 50 U.S states.
• Specific diagnostic assays to detect A(H5) viruses are available at 99 public health laboratories in all 50 states.

Per long-standing protocols, upon detection of a virus that tests positive for influenza A virus but is negative for human H1 or H3 genes, the public health laboratory will rapidly contact CDC and ship the specimen to CDC.  Specimens that are influenza A virus positive but negative for human H1 or H3 genes may also be tested for H5 by state public health laboratories and are rapidly sent to CDC for a diagnostic result.  An investigation of the case will be initiated, and a case report form will be submitted to CDC through the novel influenza A reporting module.

Global surveillance and rapid response to human infections

CDC’s Influenza Division supports surveillance in live bird markets, backyard farms, and wild birds and/or their environments in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guatemala, Kenya, Lao PDR, Peru, Thailand, and Vietnam. Surveillance data highlight the high prevalence and wide range of avian influenza A viruses in birds and help to describe the changing epidemiology of avian influenza A viruses. In 2022, the Influenza Division tracked more than 50 human infections with avian influenza A viruses reported to the WHO from seven countries in four WHO regions. Most recently, CDC Influenza Division field staff assisted in the rapid response investigations of four human A(H5N1) cases in Cambodia during October and November 2023.

CDC systems that monitor national, state, and local level influenza data are being used during the current HPAI A(H5N1) virus situation .

• Influenza virus and illness activity are monitored year-round through a collaborative effort between CDC and many partners, including state, local, and territorial health departments; public health and clinical laboratories; clinics; and emergency departments.
• Human cases of novel influenza A virus infection, which are human infections with non-human influenza A viruses that are different from currently spreading seasonal human influenza A viruses, are nationally notifiable. Every identified case is investigated and reported to CDC.
• CDC is actively looking at multiple influenza indicators during the current situation to monitor for HPAI A(H5N1) viruses, including looking for spread of the virus to, or among people, in jurisdictions where the virus has been identified in people or animals.

Virological assessments

Because influenza viruses have a high error rate during replication and rapidly evolve, CDC continually conducts genetic analyses of viruses to identify changes that may impact virus phenotypes such as antigenicity, antiviral susceptibility, transmissibility, and/or pathogenesis. Genetic analysis also is performed to assess changes that may impact diagnostic test performance.

Diagnostics

Various CDC influenza virus diagnostic real time RT-PCR tests detect typical human (seasonal) viruses or novel influenza A viruses (e.g., H5, H7) that may infect people through zoonotic transmission.  These diagnostic tests are used in all 50 U.S states and globally. Additionally, there are CDC diagnostic tests that specifically detect A(H5) viruses, which are available in public health laboratories in all 50 U.S. states and international laboratories.

Most commercial assays used for human influenza virus testing are likely to detect HPAI A(H5N1) viruses as influenza A viruses because they target conserved proteins.

Candidate vaccine virus development

The development of influenza candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs), coordinated by WHO, remains an essential component of the overall global strategy for influenza pandemic preparedness. A library of H5 candidate vaccine viruses (CVV) has been produced with additional recommendations for development during bi-annual vaccine consultation meetings (See Table and  https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/vaccines/who-recommendations/zoonotic-influenza-viruses-and-candidate-vaccine-viruses ). The  CDC Influenza Risk Assessment Tool  is also used to help  prioritize HPAI A(H5) viruses for development of CVVs .

This report is subject to the following limitations. First, the number of reported human infections with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses is small. Conclusions regarding virus characterization analyses, transmissibility from animals to people, transmissibility among people, and clinical spectrum of illness in people should be interpreted in light of this small number. Second, detailed exposure information was not available for all exposed persons or for those being monitored for illness after exposure to HPAI A(H5N1) virus-infected wild birds, poultry, backyard flocks, and other animals, including dairy cattle in the United States. As of the date of this report, understanding of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections of cattle is very limited. Thus, we are not able to assess the impact of exposure variables such as duration of exposure, nature of exposure (e.g., direct vs. indirect contact), and use of personal protective equipment on infection risk among persons with confirmed HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection or those being monitored after exposures to any animals confirmed or suspected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection.

• To date, CDC analyses of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) viruses detected in wild birds, poultry, and sporadically in mammals, including in dairy cattle, since late 2021 indicate that these viruses all have a high degree of genetic identity with each other and no significant mammalian adaptive substitutions, insertions, or deletions have been identified, particularly in the HA gene, which is important for zoonotic and subsequent human-to-human transmission.
• Considering the high prevalence of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in wild birds and poultry worldwide, spillover into mammals (including carnivores that may feed on infected animals) and additional sporadic zoonotic infections are anticipated among people with exposures to infected sick or dead poultry, wild birds, or other infected animals.
• Clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) viruses currently circulating in wild birds and poultry worldwide lack the ability to preferentially bind to the types of sialic acid receptors that are predominant in the upper respiratory tract of humans and therefore do not currently have the ability to easily infect or transmit among people.
• Despite extensive worldwide spread of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in wild birds and poultry in recent years, only a small number of sporadic human infections with clade 2.3.4.4b or clade 2.3.2.1c viruses have been reported since 2022; nearly all cases had recent exposure to poultry and no cases of human-to-human transmission of HPAI A(H5N1) virus have been identified.
• In 2024, 3 sporadic epidemiologically unrelated human infections with clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) viruses have been detected in U.S. dairy farm workers exposed to cows presumed or confirmed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus. All 3 workers experienced clinically mild illnesses and recovered fully. For cases with genome sequencing available, no known markers of reduced susceptibility to currently recommended FDA-approved influenza antiviral medications were detected, and no changes to receptor binding tropism were identified that would increase the risk of transmission to and among people. Given the ongoing outbreak of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) viruses among dairy cattle in 9 states to date, additional sporadic human infections in exposed dairy farm workers are anticipated.

While CDC’s assessment is that the current overall threat of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) viruses to public health is low, the widespread geographic prevalence of infected birds and poultry, with spillover into a wide range of mammal species, and ongoing spread of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses, including among dairy cattle in the United States, raises the potential for more  mammals to be infected that could result in viral evolution or reassortment events which might change the current risk assessment. Similar to human infections with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses since 1997, sporadic clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections have resulted in a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from conjunctivitis and acute respiratory illness to severe and critical illness with fatal outcome. Additional sporadic human infections with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses with a wide clinical spectrum (mild to severe and critical illness) resulting from exposure to infected animals are anticipated worldwide. Vigilance and ongoing surveillance of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses circulating in wild birds, poultry, and in mammals and infected persons worldwide is critical to monitor the public health risk and to detect genetic changes (particularly in the HA gene) that would change CDC’s risk assessment.

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ACLU v. NSA – FOIA Lawsuit Seeking Records About the NSA’s Use of Artificial Intelligence

What's at stake.

The National Security Agency (NSA)—one of the country’s biggest intelligence agencies—has been rapidly developing and deploying AI, but we still know remarkably little about this transformation and its impact on civil rights and civil liberties. As the NSA increasingly integrates AI into its daily operations and some of its most profound decisions, it has left the public largely in the dark about how it is using AI and what safeguards, if any, are in place to protect everyday Americans. In March 2024, the ACLU filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act seeking the release of recently completed studies, roadmaps, and reports that show how the NSA is using AI and how those tools affect people’s privacy and civil liberties. When the government failed to release the documents sought in our FOIA request, we filed suit in April 2024 to challenge this unjustified secrecy and compel public disclosure of these documents.

Describing itself as a “ leader ” among U.S. intelligence agencies racing to develop and deploy AI, the NSA has been utilizing these technologies to help gather information on foreign governments, augment human language processing, comb through networks for cybersecurity threats, and even monitor its own analysts as they do their jobs. Although much of the NSA’s surveillance is aimed at people overseas, those activities increasingly ensnare the sensitive communications and data of people in the United States as well.

The NSA has been studying the effects of AI on its operations for several years. A year-and-a-half-ago, the Inspectors General at the NSA and the Department of Defense issued a joint report evaluating the NSA’s use of AI. NSA officials have also publicly lauded the completion of studies , roadmaps , and congressionally-mandated plans on the NSA’s use of AI. Despite repeated transparency pledges, the government has not released these key documents examining the impact and efficacy of the NSA’s AI tools, nor has it released records showing what safeguards for civil rights and civil liberties are in place.

The government’s lack of transparency is especially concerning given the dangers that AI systems pose for people’s civil rights and civil liberties. AI systems may amplify biases already embedded in training data or rely on flawed algorithms, and they may have higher error rates when applied to people of color and marginalized communities. For example, built-in bias or flawed intelligence algorithms at the NSA may lead to additional surveillance and investigation of individuals, exposing their lives to wide-ranging government scrutiny. In the most extreme cases, bad tips could be passed along to agencies like Department of Homeland Security or the FBI, leading to immigration consequences, watchlisting, or even wrongful arrests.

This FOIA lawsuit seeks disclosure of these pivotal records relating to the NSA’s use of AI since 2022. Without access to the requested documents, the public lacks critical information about how AI is transforming the NSA’s activities — information that is vital for a meaningful debate about how our government is utilizing powerful technologies to automate and expand NSA surveillance.

Legal Documents

• 04/25/2024 Complaint

Date Filed: 04/25/2024

Court: District Court (S.D.N.Y.)

• 03/07/2024 FOIA Request

Date Filed: 03/07/2024

News & Commentary

How is One of America's Biggest Spy Agencies Using AI? We're Suing to Find Out.

AI tools have the potential to expand the National Security Agency’s surveillance dragnet more than ever before. The public deserves to know how...

ACLU's Vision

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Learn More About the Issues in This Case

• National Security

• Open access
• Published: 01 March 2024

Assessment of the effectiveness of the BOPPPS model combined with case-based learning on nursing residency education for newly recruited nurses in China: a mixed methods study

• Yongli Wang 1   na1 ,
• Yiqian Chen 2   na1 ,
• Ling Wang 1 ,
• Wen Wang 1 ,
• Xiangyan Kong 1 &
• Xiaodan Li 1  

BMC Medical Education volume  24 , Article number:  215 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

801 Accesses

Metrics details

Expanding new nurse training and education is a priority for nursing educators as well as a critical initiative to stabilize the nursing workforce. Given that there is currently no standardized program for the training of new nurses in China, we investigated the effectiveness of the bridge-in, objective, pre-assessment, participatory learning, post-assessment, and summary model combined with case-based learning ((BOPPPS-CBL) for the standardized training of new nurses.

The mixed method approach with explanatory sequential (quantitative-qualitative) method was used. A questionnaire was used to compare the impact of the BOPPPS-CBL model and the Traditional Learning Model (TLM) on the core competencies of 185 new nurses for two years of standardized training. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Focus group interviews were used with four groups of new nurses and perceptions of BOPPPS-CBL training were recorded. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.

According to the quantitative data, more new nurses agreed that the BOPPPS-CBL model stimulated their learning and improved their core nursing competencies than the TLM. The BOPPPS-CBL group outperformed the TLM group on theoretical knowledge tests. Qualitative data revealed that 87.5% of new nurses agreed on the value of BOPPPS-CBL training, and three themes were extracted: (1) role promotion; (2) formation of new thinking to solve clinical problems; and (3) suggestions for improvement.

BOPPPS-CBL training had a significant impact on improving new nurses’ core competencies and promoting the transition of new nurses to clinical practice nurses in China. The study recommends BOPPPS-CBL training as an effective teaching model for the standardized training and education of new nurses.

Peer Review reports

At the end of 2020, there were nearly 4.45 million registered nurses in China [ 1 ], and some studies predict that by 2035 [ 1 , 2 ], the demand for nurses in China will be 6.75 per 1,000 people. Because of this, many nurses will enter the clinic in the future. Unfortunately, however, new nurses are one of the groups with a high incidence of adverse nursing events [ 3 ]. Research has shown that strengthening nursing education and training to improve core competencies at all stages of care can ensure patient safety and improve global health [ 4 , 5 ]. New nurse training is a vital aspect of hospital nurse training and can help new nurses solve problems during the transition from the nursing student stage to the clinical nurse role.

New nurses encounter various obstacles [ 6 ], such as, in the nursing student stage, they focus on acquiring theoretical knowledge and lack nursing practical ability which together with the lack of clinical work experience, leads to a weak link between their theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. Moreover, due to the poor core competence of new nurses, when facing clinical work, they become mentally stressed with negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and even burnout [ 7 ]. These factors often make it difficult for new nurses to feel professionally fulfilled, which can severely affect their clinical performance and career planning. As a result, some new nurses may decide to leave this field [ 8 ]. According to research, new nurses can successfully transition into the role of clinical practice nurses by strengthening their core competencies [ 9 ].

There are no uniform standards for nursing core competencies globally. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) states that nursing core competencies are the application of a nurse’s knowledge, skills, judgment, and personal attributes in the performance of nursing duties [ 10 ]. Nursing core competencies have been defined differently depending on the state of nursing in each country. The Australian Nurses and Midwives Association [ 11 ] considers nursing core competencies as the foundation of nursing practice and the criteria and basis for assessing nurses’ competence in the workplace, which encompasses skills, knowledge, attitudes, values, and competencies in the professional domain. In China, core competencies are defined as “knowledge, skills, attitudes, judgments, and clinical problem-solving abilities within the prescribed practical roles and environments“ [ 12 ]. In the UK, new nurses receive no less than four months of training with a focus on mentoring support [ 13 ]. Australia launched a one-year general practice training program for new graduate nurses to emphasize the importance of primary health care [ 14 ].

The National Health Commission of China issued the “Training Outline for Newly Recruited Nurses” (hereafter referred to as the “Outline”), which is a guideline for on-the-job training and continuing education. All new registered nurses (first-time job holders, regardless of education) must receive 2 years of clinical training in their nursing specialization upon entry, shortening the transition of new nurses to clinical practice nurses [ 15 , 16 ]. However, the Outline is only a guiding document for in-service training and continuing education, and there is not yet a unified, specific, detailed, and standardized training system for new nurses nationwide. Most hospitals design their training system under the guidance of the Outline, whose effectiveness is yet to be considered.

Most hospital’s training content includes theoretical and skill training, the traditional learning model education method is that the teacher mainly explains, and nurses only passively accept this knowledge, not including some active teaching methods and techniques [ 17 ]. Furthermore, overall training takes a long time, and the training format is relatively simple, which does not encourage participation and enthusiasm, resulting in an unsatisfactory training effect [ 18 ]. The new-nurse education includes many knowledge points that focus on the ability to combine theory and practice [ 8 ]. Improving nurses’ core competencies during their 2-year standardized training and education is an urgent issue that must be addressed.

The bridge-in, objective, pre-assessment, participatory learning, post-assessment, and summary (BOPPPS) model is a closed-loop teaching process that emphasizes student participation and feedback and is internationally recognized for its effectiveness [ 19 ]. It is based on constructivist and humanistic learning theories. Based on the “student-centered” approach, the BOPPPS model divides the teaching design process into six links: bridge-in, objective, pre-assessment, participatory learning, post-assessment, and summary to ensure that the teaching objectives are met. Research confirms that the BOPPPS model has significant advantages over traditional teaching modes and places a greater emphasis on student participation [ 20 ]. The BOPPPS teaching model has been promoted and used in many nations worldwide. Shih [ 21 ] implemented the concept in a flipped classroom for a business etiquette course using quasi-experimental research, which resulted in increased teacher-student interaction, a more dynamic and fascinating class, and enhanced student learning outcomes ( t  = 3.10, P  < 0.01). Zhen employed a mixed research design to investigate the usage of design ideas based on the BOPPPS model in his teaching practice, which enhanced teaching methods, raised student interest in learning from 65 to 90%, and improved students’ higher-order thinking [ 22 ]. Other studies have demonstrated how the BOPPPS model can enhance ophthalmology teaching [ 23 ] and dental materials education [ 24 ] by encouraging clinical thinking abilities. As a result, it is important to acknowledge the BOPPPS model’s usefulness in medical education.

Moreover, a recent systematic evaluation [ 25 ] revealed that case-based learning (CBL), constructed upon authentic contexts within a constructivist framework, proved to be a advantageous teaching strategy for improving the performance and case-analysis abilities of medical students. In bridging the knowledge gap between theoretical understanding and clinical practice, CBL disseminates knowledge through clinical cases, with students taking a central role and cases providing guidance [ 26 , 27 ]. Additionally, it has been shown to enhance students’ problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and motivation to study [ 28 ].

In recent years, the teaching mode of BOPPPS combined with CBL has emerged, and it has been widely used in medical education such as continuing medical education and ophthalmology, among others, with satisfactory results [ 23 , 29 ]. Our study used an explanatory mixed methods research design which employed a quantitative quasi-experimental comparative design and a qualitative descriptive design from nurse focus group interview analysis. The study’s objectives were as follows:

Investigate the effectiveness of the BOPPPS-CBL model in the training of new nurses in China.

Explore nurses’ experience and suggestions regarding BOPPPS-CBL training to improve the program.

An interpretive sequential approach (quantitative-qualitative) mixed methods was used in this study [ 30 ]. Phase 1 was a quantitative experimental study, and Phase 2 was a descriptive qualitative study.

Participants

Participants included new nurses with standardized training at Peking University People’s Hospital from September 2017 to August 2021. We used a convenience sampling to enroll 115 nurses in the traditional learning model group (TLM group) who were almost all new in 2017 (due to resignation, 2 of the 117 nurses were excluded) and 70 in the BOPPPS-CBL group who were about all new in 2019 (3 nurses out of 73 withdrew from the study midway due to sick leave; Table  1 ). Inclusion criteria were: registered nurses, nurses just recruited and having participated in standardized training who agreed to participate in the research, and signed informed consent. The exclusion criteria were those who could not complete all the research contents for resignation, leave, and other reasons.

Training design

The training program was developed under the requirements of the Chinese Nursing Regulations and the “Outline”. Basic theoretical knowledge training, clinical nursing operation technique training, and professional theory and practical ability training in rotating clinical departments comprised the training content. The training period was set at 2 years. The assessment methods chosen were theoretical examination and clinical practice ability assessment.

BOPPPS-CBL group

This group was built on the foundation of the TLM group using the combined BOPPPS model and CBL.

First, we set up a research team. Team members comprised a deputy director of the nursing department ( n  = 1), senior specialist nurses ( n  = 3), as well as clinical teaching management nurses ( n  = 4). The team leader was assigned as the nursing department deputy director in charge of the design and quality control of CBL programs. Senior specialist nurses were in charge of retrieving, sorting, writing, and implementing CBL programs, while clinical teaching management nurses handled program implementation and evaluation.

Second, according to the bridge-in of the BOPPPS model, the principles of CBL writing were formulated: (1) typicality: inclusion of typical cases within the specialty; (2) authenticity:taken from real cases; (3) relevance: ensuring a significant correlation between the cases and teaching objectives; (4) guidance: embedding questions in the cases to steer nurses in their case discussions, analysis, and stimulate their thought processes; and (5) difficulty: introducing cases with a certain level of complexity to foster the cultivation of nurses’ independent thinking and judgment.

Third, we established CBL training objectives based on the BOPPPS model objectives. The first draft of the training plan was created using a literature review and teaching materials, following the compilation principles.

Fourth, the implementation and evaluation of the CBL training plan were formulated using the BOPPPS model’s pre-assessment, post-assessment, participatory learning, and summary, i.e., an eight-session training program that was conducted every 3 months for 3  ∼  4 h for 24 months. Before the case presentation, new nurses were given questions and quizzes to help them understand their existing knowledge structure and help them adjust their teaching content and methods. Subsequently, nurses participated in a full group discussion of the case. Following that, they were asked to list the nursing problems in the case while proposing the group’s solution strategies through problem discussion, as well as the group members’ contributions and sharing of insights to test the new nurses’ learning and assess their overall ability to participate in discussions, communicate, ask questions, and solve problems. Finally, the teacher provided feedback, summarized the case study’s key points, and guided the new nurses in their reflection.

Fifth, expert group meeting. According to Hasson’s opinion [ 31 ] the ideal number of experts selected is 4  ∼  16, in this study 9 experts were selected for the panel meeting discussion, and the experts were chosen using the following criteria: (1) research areas covering nursing education ( n  = 4), medical education ( n  = 3), and psychology ( n  = 2); (2) familiarity with the field of nursing education research; (3) intermediate and higher professional technical titles plus a master’s degree or above; and (4) voluntary participation on this paper and provision of informed consent. The experts’ familiarity was Cs = 0.833; the experts’ judgment basis Ca = 0.957; and the experts’ authority coefficient Cr = 0.895: the training program was revised through the expert group meeting, and the final plan was developed. The general information about the experts, their level of familiarity, and the revisions proposed by the experts were shown in Appendix 1 . The specific training mode was shown in Table  1 . The BOPPPS-CBL and TLM model flowchart was summarized in Fig.  1 .

Flowchart of teaching design of the BOPPPS-CBL and TLM groups

Data collection

The quantitative phase of the questionnaire survey.

The Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses (CIRN) was a Chinese self-assessment instrument created by Liu [ 32 ] to assess nurses’ core competencies using the ICN’s Core Competency Framework for Nurses. In China, this scale is widely used by registered nurses. The CIRN includes 55 items organized into seven categories: critical thinking and research, clinical care, leadership, interpersonal relationships, ethical and legal practice, professional development, and educational consultation. The response options on a 5-point Likert scale ranged from 0 (not at all competent) to 4, with total scores ranging from 0 to 220. A higher score indicates greater core competency. It takes about 10 to 15 min to complete the inventory. The total Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.89; each dimension was 0.718 to 0.908 and the Content Validity Index was 0.852. The total Cronbach’s α coefficient was verified in other studies as 0.92 − 0.76 [ 33 ]; indicating good reliability and validity.

The Theoretical Knowledge Examination was created by the research team to assess nurses’ mastery of theoretical knowledge after training. After content validity evaluation by 10 nursing teaching experts, the Scale-level Content Validity Index, S-CVI/AVe of the paper was 0.949. The Cronbach’s α was 0.822, and the difficulty level of the exam paper was medium. The questions were scored out of 100 points and included multiple-choice and short text-based questions.

Focus group interviews in the qualitative phase

To avoid causing stress to the interviewees, the hospital education service staff (with a certificate in qualitative research) conducted focus group interviews with the nurses in the intervention group. The interviews were conducted to gain an understanding of their experiences and suggestions for training, as well as to improve the BOPPPS-CBL training program. Purposive sampling was used to recruit intervention group participants, and before the interview, all participants were informed as to the aims of the study and volunteered to participate. At the end of the BOPPPS-CBL training, 24 nurses were divided into four focus groups (5–7 nurses per group) to participate in the interviews, of which 22 were women and 2 were men, aged between 20 and 26 years. The first draft of the interview outline was finalized through literature reading, research team, and expert group meeting discussions, and the final outline was discussed again after pre-interviews with four nurses. The following was included in the interview outline: (a) How do you feel about taking part in this BOPPPS-CBL training course? (b) How has your clinical work changed after this training? (c) In what areas of this training program do you believe improvements should be made, and why? Share your ideas and opinions with us. The location of our interviews was chosen to take place in a quiet classroom. Interviews lasted 45–55 min. The whole process was conducted according to the qualitative research method.

The researcher’s team directed the TLM and BOPPPS-CBL training. Before the implementation of the training program, 10 nursing teaching teachers and 3 nurses with master’s degrees in nursing were uniformly and systematically trained. We explained the training’s aim, the procedure, what to expect during implementation, and how to gather data to assure quality control.

Data analysis

The quantitative data were coded and entered into IBM SPSS version 22 software for statistical analysis. Quantitative data for nurses were analyzed by t-test and expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Categorical data were analyzed by the chi-square test. The significance level for all tests was set at p  = 0.05.

For the qualitative part, we transcribed the focus group data within 24 h after the interviews were completed, and the data were analyzed by YW and YC researchers (both of whom were certified in qualitative research), respectively, according to the Colaizzi Seven-Step Method [ 34 ], which includes: (1) transcribing the audio recordings into text promptly and reading them over and over again; (2) excerpting the statements that are closely related to the theme of the study; (3) coding the recurring and meaningful ideas; (4) pooling the coded ideas; (5) writing detailed and missing descriptions; (6) identifying similar ideas and sublimating the thematic concepts; and (7) returning the results to the interviewees for verification and validation. In cases of disagreement, a third researcher (XL) was involved. Considering the cultural nature of the language, our analyses were conducted after transcribing into Chinese and discussing it repeatedly, organizing, reading, summarizing, coding, and re-reading the data, and finally conducting a summary of the themes in Chinese, after which we translated the Chinese themes into English.

Ethical considerations

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University People’s Hospital (2018THB145). Our study adhered to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration, and all participants provided their informed consent by signing a consent form. In the qualitative portion of the study, the research team members did not directly interact with the interviewees. Instead, we engaged a researcher from the hospital’s education office who informed the participants about the voluntary nature of their participation and assured them that there would be no negative consequences for their work. Additionally, the participants were informed that no personal information would be disclosed and that all data would be collected anonymously. The audio recordings of the interviews were transcribed within 24 h and subsequently destroyed within 3 weeks after obtaining confirmation from the interviewees.

Demographic result

185 new nurses were enrolled in the trial, with the intervention group’s mean age at 21.97 ± 1.58 years and the control group’s mean age at 22.13 ± 1.63 years. A bachelor’s degree or higher had been earned by 47.1% of the intervention group and by 47.8% of the control group. The results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference ( P  > 0.05) between the intervention group and the control group when comparing general variables such as gender, educational level, and department. The baseline data of the two groups were comparable, as shown in Table  2 .

Quantitative results

There was no discernible difference between the two groups’ comparable CIRN results at the beginning of the training. Following 2 years of training, the BOPPPS-CBL group’s overall CIRN scores were compared with those of the TLM group, and the differences between the two groups’ CIRN scores were statistically significant ( t  = 8.240, P  < 0.05). Additionally, the analysis of the two groups’ CIRN scores before and after the training revealed that both groups’ CIRN scores increased (TLM group: t  = 5.661, P  < 0.01; BOPPPS-CBL group: t  = 7.148, P  < 0.01) after the standardized training (Table  3 ).

The theoretical knowledge examination scores of the BOPPPS-CBL group were significantly higher than those of the TLM group (79.36 ± 10.27 vs. 70.25 ± 9.31, t  = 6.201, P  < 0.01), and the difference was statistically significant ( P  < 0.05) (Table  4 ).

Comparing Table  3 with Table  5 , the results indicate that the CIRN questionnaire comprised seven dimensions. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in the dimensions of critical thinking and research, clinical care, professional development, and educational consultation ( P  < 0.05). However, no differences were found in the dimensions of leadership, interpersonal relationships, ethical, or legal practice.

Qualitative results

Twenty-four nurses participated in focus group interviews to investigate their experiences with BOPPPS-CBL training. The resultant data was analyzed, and three major themes and six subthemes were identified. The first theme, role facilitation, was characterized by the stimulation of interest in learning, affirmation of the benefits of the training, and clarification of the orientation of clinical nurses. The second theme, forming new thinking about solving clinical problems, encompassed learning to analyze clinical issues from diverse perspectives, improving communication skills, expanding cognitive abilities, and fostering teamwork. The third theme focused on suggestions for improvement (Table  6 ).

Of the nurses interviewed, 87.6% (21/24) expressed that the BOPPPS-CBL training had numerous benefits, asserting that the training enhanced their understanding of the role and orientation of clinical nurses. Each participant played a fundamental role in constructing knowledge during case study processing, which focused on self-directed learning and developed problem-solving skills in nursing practice through multidimensional analysis and discussion of a range of cases. Furthermore, participants reported that group peer discussions facilitated learning, enhanced their enjoyment of inquiry-based self-directed learning, and increased engagement.

Respondents also conveyed enhanced confidence and proficiency in adopting proactive communication practices, examining clinical issues from diverse viewpoints, and thinking innovatively. These acquired skills were subsequently applied in fostering effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients, influencing patient clinical decision-making, and optimizing care delivery. Participants affirmed that the BOPPPS-CBL training played a pivotal role in amalgamating theoretical medical knowledge with practical clinical care, thereby bridging the gap between the two domains. It facilitated the cultivation of a novel perspective on clinical challenges and equipped them with the ability to utilize mind maps for problem analysis and clinical decision-making. This integrative approach not only instilled a sense of accomplishment but also underscored the value they contributed to their clinical practice.

However, other nurses suggested ideas to improve the training, such as providing more teaching resources and adopting deeper teaching approaches. They also expressed hope that visualization technologies could be utilized in the future to create immersive settings, while online learning resources could be made available for trainees to watch and learn from repeatedly.

In this study, an explanatory mixed-methods approach was employed to analyze quantitative and qualitative data to validate the effectiveness of BOPPPS-CBL training. The quantitative and qualitative results were complementary to each other. In the first part of the study, the quantitative research supported the research hypothesis that BOPPPS-CBL training was effective in improving the core competencies and theoretical knowledge scores of newly recruited nurses. In the second part of the study, the qualitative study affirmed the benefits of BOPPPS-CBL on the clinical roles and thinking skills of newly recruited nurses, which increased their enthusiasm and enjoyment of independent learning and affirmed the effectiveness of the training method.

In the first part of the study, we examined alterations in the core competencies of nurses before and after their participation in the TLM and BOPPPS-CBL groups. Both groups exhibited an elevation in CIRN scores post-training, indicating that both training programs enhanced nurses’ competencies, which was consistent with Burgess’ findings [ 35 ]. However, the quantitative study revealed that the training in the BOPPPS-CBL group was particularly effective, leading to a greater enhancement in nurses’ core competencies and theoretical knowledge compared to the TLM group. This difference can be attributed to several factors. First, BOPPPS was grounded in constructivist and humanistic learning theories [ 23 ], while CBL constituted an application of social cognitive theory [ 36 ]. BOPPPS-CBL, as an innovative medical teaching approach, emphasized the autonomy of nurses’ learning abilities, prioritized nurse participation and feedback, and facilitated the transformation of nurses from passive recipients of external stimuli and recipients of indoctrination to active information processors and meaning constructors. This transformative process encouraged the mastery, internalization, and absorption of knowledge. These outcomes align with the findings of Xue et al.‘s research [ 37 ]. In contrast, the TLM model, being teacher-centered and heavily reliant on the curriculum, led to passive knowledge reception by students with limited autonomous learning capabilities [ 38 ].

Moreover, in the BOPPPS-CBL training, the learning process was compartmentalized into organic modules through the application of BOPPPS, with each module thoroughly engaging and motivating the nurse [ 23 ]. Simultaneously incorporating the benefits of CBL, the training proceeded by building on real-life cases. In Bridge-in, to attract the nurses’ attention and stimulate their interest, the objective was to make it clear the goal of this learning and the direction of teaching. In the BOPPPS-CBL training, participatory learning, repeated exchanges and collisions among peers, grounded in the case and their individual knowledge, enhanced nurses’ initiative, knowledge acquisition, and core competencies. These outcomes align with the findings of previous studies [ 39 ].

In the second phase of the study, we analyzed nurses’ experiences with participating in BOPPPS-CBL training. Most nurses affirmed the effectiveness of BOPPPS-CBL training. Nurses indicated that various forms of CBL methods heightened their enjoyment of learning, fostered a positive collaborative learning atmosphere, and enhanced their comprehension abilities. Consistent with previous research, diverse learning formats increase student engagement and intrinsic motivation [ 40 ]. In the current study, nurses provided feedback on encountering real-life cases from clinical practice, which conveyed responsibility and pressure, compelling them to clarify their roles as competent clinical nurses. Previous research has indicated that feedback from teachers contributes to student growth [ 41 ]. In our study, we discovered that, in addition to teacher feedback helping nurses identify knowledge construction issues when dealing with clinical problems, discussions among peers also expanded nurses’ thinking, allowed them to draw on their peers’ strengths, and aided in their personal development. This may be related to the philosophical concept of “self-cultivation” advocated in Chinese Confucian culture, promoting a learning attitude that emphasizes humility, continuous learning from others, and avoiding arrogance and impatience [ 42 ]. Interestingly, nurses also shared changes in their clinical thinking as BOPPPS-CBL training challenged their inherent learning and thinking patterns, such as rote learning, passive knowledge acceptance, and memorization. This stimulation prompted them to actively explore and analyze clinical issues from multiple perspectives, enhancing their ability to collaborate and communicate with healthcare professionals, patients, and peers in problem-solving. This may be linked to the Confucian cultural background, where the “middle ground” principle in education emphasizes the cultivation of positive interpersonal relationships and the importance of collaborative cooperation [ 43 ]. In addition, 87.65% of the nurses in the focus groups indicated that they strongly preferred and supported the promotion of the BOPPPS-CBL training model, which was consistent with previous studies [ 39 ]. However, some nurses also indicated that if future BOPPPS-CBL training could leverage intelligent visual aids, immersive scenario simulations, and additional online learning resources, facilitating repeated viewing after training, it would further enhance their ability to apply the learning to clinical practice.

Our research findings indicate that quantitative research confirmed the efficiency of BOPPPS-CBL training, while qualitative research investigated the fundamental variables and underlying motivations that contribute to its effectiveness. The qualitative findings supplemented and confirmed the benefits of BOPPPS-CBL training revealed in the quantitative analysis. The training, which was based on the BOPPPS closed-loop instructional process model with nurses at its core, grounded in real-life experiences, and guided through group discussions, proved effective in immersing nurses in clinical environments. This approach facilitated the cultivation of clinical practice skills and the learning of core competencies, ultimately benefiting newly recruited nurses.

Limitations and implications

This was the first time that BOPPPS-CBL was used in China in the education and training of new nurses. This study design combines the capabilities of quantitative and qualitative research by first evaluating the effectiveness of comparing TLM and BOPPPS-CBL through a quantitative research design and then refining it through interviews with nurses in the BOPPPS-CBL group. The findings of this study demonstrate that it was successful and beneficial. Our study, however, had several limitations. Firstly, because this was a classroom experiment, it was impossible to control all of the confounding factors of the training effect, especially when both the intervention and control groups were training. Given the 2-year training interval and the intervention group training during the COVID-19 epidemic, one must consider the influence of external environmental factors arising from the epidemic on the results. Secondly, the predominant inclusion of female subjects raises uncertainty about the generalizability of the results to the male nurse population in China. Thirdly, we did not compare the differences between the BOPPPS model and CBL, a consideration that could be addressed in a future study comparing BOPPPS, CBL, and TLM. Moreover, our investigation into the effect on nurses’ core competencies relied on self-assessment questionnaires, which, to some extent, might not truly and objectively reflect nurses’ core competencies. In the future, utilizing an objective assessment tool could provide a more accurate evaluation of the efficacy of BOPPPS-CBL training in enhancing nurses’ core competencies. Fourthly, this study only examined the effects at the conclusion of the standardized training for new nurses, without assessing the long-term effects. Longitudinal studies based on BOPPPS-CBL training programs could be conducted in the future to explore how the core competencies developed by nurses manifest in long-term clinical practice. Finally, this study exclusively focused on the effect within one hospital; future large-scale multicenter validation studies could be undertaken in different regions and hospital levels.

Conclusions

This study showed that the BOPPPS-CBL model was more effective than TLM, and the core competencies and theoretical knowledge of nurses in the BOPPPS-CBL group increased significantly. Focus group nurses also confirmed the benefits of BOPPPS-CBL training in terms of role enhancement and clinical decision-making thinking. The BOPPPS-CBL model is an effective pedagogical model for the standardized training and education of new nurses. More research in multicenter studies incorporating smart teaching tools is needed to validate the effectiveness of the model in other contexts. In addition, the model may provide new ideas for researchers or clinical education administrators in other countries when developing continuing education training programs for nurses.

Data availability

Our research data is related to the personal identity information of nurses. If the data sets analyzed during the study are used publicly, there is a risk of the personal privacy disclosure of nurses. Therefore, we declare that the data will not be disclosed. If there is a strong demand, please send a request to the corresponding author (XD L, [email protected]).

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Acknowledgements

This research received financial support from the Research and Development Fund of Peking University People’s Hospital (RDE 2018-03) and the Education and Teaching Research Fund of Peking University Medical School (2021YB19).

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Yongli Wang and Yiqian Chen contributed equally to this manuscript and should be regarded as co-first authors.

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Peking University People’s Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng Dist, 100044, Beijing, China

Yongli Wang, Ling Wang, Wen Wang, Xiangyan Kong & Xiaodan Li

Nursing School of Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China

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Study design: YLW, YQC, XDL; acquisition of data: LW, XYK, WW; analysis: YLW, YQC, XDL, LW, XYK; drafting of the article: YLW, YQC, WW, XDL.

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Wang, Y., Chen, Y., Wang, L. et al. Assessment of the effectiveness of the BOPPPS model combined with case-based learning on nursing residency education for newly recruited nurses in China: a mixed methods study. BMC Med Educ 24 , 215 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05202-x

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Market Segmentation

What is market segmentation?

The benefits of market segmentation, the basics of segmentation in marketing, types of market segmentation, how to get started with segmentation, market segmentation strategy, market segmentation use case examples, ensuring effective segments, common segmentation errors, qualtrics solutions for market segmentation, see how qualtrics strategic brand works, market segmentation: definition, types, benefits, & best practices.

21 min read Market segmentation helps you send the right message, every time, by efficiently targeting specific groups of consumers. Here’s how it works.

By understanding your market segments, you can leverage this targeting in product, sales, and marketing strategies . Market segments can power your product development cycles by informing how you create product offerings for different segments like men vs. women or high income vs. low income.

Read on to understand why segmentation is important for growth and the types of market segmentation to use to maximize the benefits for your business.

Free eBook: How to drive profits with customer segmentation

Companies who properly segment their market enjoy significant advantages. According to a study by Bain & Company , 81% of executives found that segmentation was crucial for growing profits. Bain also found that organizations with great market segmentation strategies enjoyed a 10% higher profit than companies whose segmentation wasn’t as effective over a 5-year period.

Other benefits include:

• Stronger marketing messages : You no longer have to be generic and vague – you can speak directly to a specific group of people in ways they can relate to, because you understand their characteristics, wants, and needs.
• Targeted digital advertising : Market segmentation helps you understand and define your audience’s characteristics, so you can direct your online marketing efforts to specific ages, locations, buying habits, interests etc.
• Developing effective marketing strategies : Knowing your target audience gives you a head start about what methods, tactics and solutions they will be most responsive to.
• Better response rates and lower acquisition costs : will result from creating your marketing communications both in ad messaging and advanced targeting on digital platforms like Facebook and Google using your segmentation.
• Attracting the right customers : targeted, clear, and direct messaging attracts the people you want to buy from you.
• Increasing brand loyalty : when customers feel understood, uniquely well served, and trusting, they are more likely to stick with your brand .
• Differentiating your brand from the competition : More specific, personal messaging makes your brand stand out .
• Identifying niche markets : segmentation can uncover not only underserved markets, but also new ways of serving existing markets – opportunities which can be used to grow your brand.
• Staying on message : As segmentation is so linear, it’s easy to stay on track with your marketing strategies, and not get distracted into less effective areas.
• Driving growth : You can encourage customers to buy from you again , or trade up from a lower-priced product or service.
• Enhanced profits : Different customers have different disposable incomes; prices can be set according to how much they are willing to spend . Knowing this can ensure you don’t oversell (or undersell) yourself.
• Product development : You’ll be able to design new products and services with the needs of your customers top of mind, and develop different products that cater to your different customer base areas.

Companies like American Express , Mercedes Benz , and Best Buy have all used segmentation strategies to increase sales, build better products, and engage better with their prospects and customers.

Understanding segmentation starts with learning about the various ways you can segment your market as well as different types of market segmentation. There are four primary categories of segmentation, illustrated below.

With segmentation and targeting, you want to understand how your market will respond in a given situation, like what causes people to purchase your products. In many cases, a predictive model may be incorporated into the study so that you can group individuals within identified segments based on specific answers to survey questions .

Demographic segmentation

Demographic segmentation sorts a market by elements such as age, education, household income, marital status, family size, race, gender, occupation, and nationality. The demographic approach is one of the simplest and most commonly used types of market segmentation because the products and services we buy, how we use those products, and how much we are willing to spend on them is most often based on demographic factors. It’s also seen as a simple method of predicting future behavior, because target audiences with similar characteristics often behave in similar ways.

How to start demographic segmentation

Demographic segmentation is often the easiest because the information is the most readily available. You can send surveys directly to customers to determine their demographic data, or use readily available third party data such as government census data to gather further information.

Geographic segmentation

Geographic segmentation can be a subset of demographic segmentation, although it can also be a unique type of market segmentation in its own right. As its name suggests, it creates different target customer groups based on geographical boundaries. Because potential customers have needs, preferences, and interests that differ according to their geographies, understanding the climates and geographic regions of customer groups can help determine where to sell and advertise, as well as where to expand your business.

How to start geographic segmentation

Geographic segmentation data again can be solicited from customers through surveys or available third party market research data, or can be sourced from operational data such as IP addresses for website visitors.

Firmographic segmentation

Firmographic segmentation is similar to demographic segmentation, except that demographics look at individuals while firmographics look at organizations. Firmographic segmentation would consider things like company size, number of employees and would illustrate how addressing a small business would differ from addressing an enterprise corporation.

How to start firmographic segmentation

Firmographic segmentation data can be found in public listings for companies and information that the business makes available, as well as trade publications. Again, surveying existing and potential customers can help to build out this data.

Behavioral segmentation

Behavioral Segmentation divides markets by behaviors and decision-making patterns such as purchase, consumption, lifestyle, and usage. For instance, younger buyers may tend to purchase bottled body wash, while older consumer groups may lean towards soap bars. Segmenting markets based on purchase behaviors enables marketers to develop a more targeted approach, because you can focus on what you know they are looking for, and are therefore more likely to buy.

How to start behavioral segmentation

Of all the types of market segmentation, behavioral segmentation is likely best started with the information you have on an existing customer base. Though it can be bolstered by third party market research data, the information you already have on customer purchase and usage behavior will be the best predictor of future behavior.

Psychographic segmentation

Psychographic segmentation considers the psychological aspects of consumer behavior by dividing markets according to lifestyle, personality traits, values, opinions, and interests of consumers. Large markets like the fitness market use psychographic segmentation when they sort their customers into categories of people who care about healthy living and exercise.

How to start psychographic segmentation

Pychographic segmentation relies on data provided by the consumers themselves. Though market research might provide insights on what particular segments are most likely to believe or prefer, psychographic segmentation is best completed with information direct from the source. You can use survey questions with a qualitative focus to help draw out insights in the customers’ own voice.

On-demand webinar: How to drive product design and profits with customer segmentation

There are five primary steps to all marketing segmentation strategies:

• Define your target market : Is there a need for your products and services? Is the market large or small? Where does your brand sit in the current marketplace compared to your competitors?
• Segment your market : Decide which of the five criteria you want to use to segment your market: demographic, firmographic, psychographic, geographic, or behavioral. You don’t need to stick to just one – in fact, most brands use a combination – so experiment with each one to figure out which combination works best for your needs.
• Understand your market : You do this by conducting preliminary research surveys, focus groups, polls , etc. Ask questions that relate to the segments you have chosen, and use a combination of quantitative (tickable/selectable boxes) and qualitative (open-ended for open text responses) questions.
• Create your customer segments : Analyze the responses from your research to highlight which customer segments are most relevant to your brand.
• Test your marketing strategy : Once you have interpreted your responses, test your findings by creating targeted marketing, advertising campaigns and more for your target market, using conversion tracking to see how effective it is. And keep testing. If uptake is disappointing, relook at your segments or your research methods and make appropriate changes.

Why should market segmentation be considered a strategy? A strategy is a considered plan that takes you from point A to point B in an effective and useful way. The market segmentation process is similar, as there will be times you need to revisit your market segments, such as:

In times of rapid change: A great example is how the Covid-19 pandemic forced a lot of businesses to rethink how they sell to customers. Businesses with physical stores looked at online ordering, while restaurant owners considered using food delivery services.

If your customers change, your market segmentation should as well, so you can understand clearly what your new customers need and want from you.

On a yearly basis: Market segments can change year over year as customers are affected by external factors that could alter their behavior and responses.

For example, natural disasters caused by global warming may impact whether a family chooses to stay living in an area prone to more of these events. On a larger scale, if your target customer segment moves away from one of your sales regions, you may want to consider re-focussing your sales activities in more populated areas.

At periodic times during the year: If you’ve explored your market and created market segments at one time of the year, the same market segments may have different characteristics in a different season. Seasonal segmentation may be necessary for better targeting.

For example, winter has several holidays, with Christmas being a huge influence on families. This holiday impacts your market segments’ buying habits, how they’ll behave (spending more than normal at this time than any other) and where they will travel (back home for the holidays). Knowing this information can help you predict and prepare for this period.

When considering updating your market segmentation strategy, consider these three areas:

• Acknowledge what has changed: Find out what has happened between one time period and another, and what have been the driving forces for that change. By understanding the reasons why your market is different, you can make key decisions on whether you want to change your approach or stay the course.
• Don’t wait to start planning: Businesses are always adapting to long-te r m trends , so refreshing market segmentation research puts you in a proactive place to tackle these changes head-on. Once you have your market segments, a good idea is to consider the long-term complications or risks associated with each segment, and forward-plan some time to discuss problem-solving if those issues arise.
• Go from “what” to “why” : Why did those driving forces come about? Why are there risks with your target market? At Qualtrics, we partner with companies to understand the different aspects of target markets that drive or slow success. You’ll have the internal data to understand what’s happening; we help unleash insight into why with advanced modeling techniques. This helps you get smart market segmentation that is predictive and actionable, making it easier for future research and long-term segment reporting.

Where can you use market segmentation in your business? We’ve collected some use case scenarios to help you see how market segmentation can be built out across several departments and activities:

Market and opportunity assessments

When your business wants to enter into a new market or look for growth opportunities, market segmentation can help you understand the sales potential. It can assist in breaking down your research, by aligning your findings to your target audience groups.

For example, When you’ve identified the threats and opportunities within a new market, you can apply your customer segment knowledge to the information to understand how target customers might respond to new ideas, products, or services.

Segmentation and targeting

If you have your entire market separated into different customer segments,  then you have defined them by set criteria, like demographics, needs, priorities, common interests, or behavioral preferences .

With this information, you can target your products and services toward these market segments, making marketing messages and collateral that will resonate with that particular segment’s criteria.

Customer needs research

When you know a lot about your customers, you can understand where your business is connecting well with them and where there can be improvements.

Market segmentation can help with customer needs research (also known as habits and practices research) to deliver information about customer needs, preferences, and product or service usage. This helps you identify and understand gaps in your offerings that can be scheduled for development or follow-up.

Product development

If the product or service you’ve developed doesn’t solve a stated problem of your target audience or isn’t useful, then that product will have difficulty selling. When you know what each of your market segments cares about an/d how they live their lives, it’s easier to know what products will enrich or enhance their day-to-day activities.

Use market segmentation to understand your customers clearly , so that you can save time and money developing products and services that your customers will want to purchase.

Campaign optimization

Marketing and content teams will value having detailed information for each customer segment, as this allows them to personalize their campaigns and strategies at scale. This may lead to variations in messaging that they know will connect better with specific audiences, making their campaign results more effective.

When their marketing campaigns are combined with strong calls to action targeted to the specific segment, they will be a powerful tool that drives your target market segments towards your sales channels.

After you determine your segments, you want to ensure they’ll be useful. A good segmentation analysis should pass the following tests:

• Measurable : Measurable means that your segmentation variables are directly related to purchasing a product. You should be able to calculate or estimate how much your segment will spend on your product. For example, one of your segments may be made up of people who are more likely to shop during a promotion or sale.
• Accessible : Understanding your customers and being able to reach them are two different things. Your segments’ characteristics and behaviors should help you identify the best way to meet them. For example, you may find that a key segment is resistant to technology and relies on newspaper or radio ads to hear about store promotions, while another segment is best reached on your mobile app. One of your segments might be a male retiree who is less likely to use a mobile app or read email, but responds well to printed ads.
• Substantial : The market segment must have the ability to purchase. For example, if you are a high-end retailer, your store visitors may want to purchase your goods but realistically can’t afford them. Make sure an identified segment is not just interested in you, but can be expected to purchase from you. In this instance, your market might include environmental enthusiasts who are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly products, leisurely retirees who can afford your goods, and successful entrepreneurs who want to show off their wealth.
• Actionable : The market segment must produce the differential response when exposed to the market offering. This means that each of your segments must be different and unique from each other. Let’s say that your segmentation reveals that people who love their pets and people who care about the environment have the same purchasing habits. Rather than having two separate segments, you should consider grouping both together in a single segment.

Market segmentation is not an exact science. As you go through the process, you may realize that segmenting based on behaviors doesn’t give you actionable segments, but behavioral segmentation does. You’ll want to iterate on your findings to ensure you’ve found the best fit for the needs of your marketing, sales and product organizations.

We’ve outlined the do’s , so here are some of the dont’s :

• Avoid making your segments too small or specialized : Small segments may not be quantifiable or accurate, and can be distracting rather than insightful
• Don’t just focus on the segment rather than the money : Your strategy may have identified a large segment, but unless it has the buying power and wants or needs your product, it won’t deliver a return on investment
• Don’t be inflexible : Customers and circumstances change, so don’t let your segments become too entrenched – be prepared to let them evolve.

Market segmentation doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. We would advise, though, to  get automated from the beginning . Forget spreadsheets – choose  market segmentation software  to measure and streamline your marketing strategy; as you grow, the technology will scale with you.

Innovative features such as Experience iD allow you to build your own customer segments and start personalizing experiences at scale based on the rich insights into your critical customer groups.

If you want to get a feel for your market segmentation upfront, before taking a step towards a streamlined and integrated system, trust us to take you through the research with our Market Segmentation Research service .

Related resources

Market fragmentation 9 min read, behavioral segmentation 20 min read, psychographic segmentation 11 min read, geographic segmentation 14 min read, demographic segmentation 14 min read.

Brand Perception

Brand Sentiment 18 min read

Brand intelligence 12 min read, request demo.

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