Guide to Writing a Case Study


Guide to Writing a Case Study

A case study is something different from an essay or research paper. It is the best way to check student’s logic and analytical skills. One has to use the entire knowledge of the subject as well as other skills to find the best solution to the problem. Such type of assignment is usually given to students who study:

  • Law
  • Human Resources Management
  • Sociology
  • Management
  • Anthropology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Nursing
  • Education
  • Gender Studies

In other words, a case study is a good way to test the expertise of business and healthcare-oriented students and young professionals. It’s about offering several solutions to the existing problem and selecting the best one for the community. Such solutions should have a great value for the society. On the whole, the discussed issue is usually a:

  1. Person
  2. Group
  3. Specific situation/event

Initially, a case study is taken from the certain book, article, or other course materials. Once the description of the situation ends, the questions follow that have to be answered in the shape of well-organized paper. The readers should be able to understand the problem clearly before conducting an analysis.

To give a response to the set questions, students have to gather information just like they do when working on the research paper. However, this information will only give a hint which problem resolution might be the most beneficial.

The writer has to include possible sources when writing down the solution. Case studies can be written in any of the popular paper formats: from MLA to Harvard.

Mini-Guide to Writing Your Project


There are several steps one should take to solve the offered case study in the best manner. No matter which academic writing style you choose, review these important stages of writing the paper.

  1. Read and analyze the topic of the assigned questions. Define the problem and its importance for the community.
  2. Write an outline (plan) at first to make the procedure simpler and save time.
  3. Dedicate your examination to the topic on a few specific aspects that you have chosen based on the gathered information. Focus on the most critical parts only. Avoid wordiness.
  4. Present solutions to your readers. The ideas may come to mind while reading all possible related information or conducting experiments on your own.
  5. Make an interesting conclusion section to appeal to your readers. Stress the significance of the study.

If you have a right to choose, make sure the subject is interesting for you. The more interesting topic you cover the more exciting experience you will gain.

There are several questions you may include in your project to check whether you have chosen the right topic and way to find a solution. The most proper questions to ask are:

  1. When? Where? Why?
  2. How comes?
  3. What is the cause & effect? What about the results?

These points will help to understand how to implement new information or pose new questions in your paper.

Once you complete the solution, make sure it includes only the clear interpretation of the main ideas. It is important to replace complex terms with possible analogies written in a simple language so that a reader can understand your point without any advanced knowledge. Right, a case study paper should use a simple language.

Case Study Papers on Different Academic Subjects

As we have mentioned in the first section, a case study is usually assigned to students studying business and medical subjects. However, these assignments are often given to students who are involved in humanities classes like Religious Studies, History, and more. We will provide several examples of different content.

Literature. Students have to review various books, poems, and articles before writing a Literature case study. The questions are assigned at the end of each story to check how attentive the students were while reading the text. It develops good reading and comprehension skills. Basically, there is no need for the additional research. To write a clear answer, a student should begin noticing even the smallest details. Usually, it’s about preparing an in-depth analysis of character’s personality or events in the story. Literature case study may encourage students to find their own solutions to the problems discussed in the text. It is important to put yourself in one’s boots and make decisions regarding particular situations. A student does a great job when he finds new solutions. This type of assignment allows thinking out-of-the-box. It develops imagination.

History. We cannot change the history, but at least we can pretend that we can play with the time. A case study in History covers different historical episodes. The students are offered to write their personal visions of that episodes. They have to include all possible solutions to various political, religious, and economic conflicts. This method works better than simply memorizing numerous dates and names. A research on wars is a good example. Students must collect relevant information to see whether there were other possible ways to solve the inflaming conflicts of different epochs. First of all, this practice improves research skills and critical thinking. Do not forget to add a bibliography at the end of History related paper. Here is a brief guide.

Science. A Scientific case study is a real challenge, especially for those who prefer humanitarian disciplines. However, this type of essay may also refer to the group of social sciences or medicine. The goal of such paper is to help students understand how they should act in different responsible life situations. You will write about particular processes which you used to watch. Make a statement on why each process occurred and which steps were taken. You may work on the treatment of a patient or breed some species of animals.

Citing a Case Study Solution Essay

Using one of the standard academic writing styles is recommended. You may cite your paper of this type in a way you cite the book.

Here we go with the several examples:

  • In MLA: Griffin, Austin, Walsh, Willow, and Pearcey, James. Non-Destructive Testing. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing, 2010. Print.
  • In APA: Griffin, A., Walsh, W., & Pearcey, J. (2010). Non-Destructive Testing. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing.
  • In Chicago: Griffin, Austin, Walsh, Willow, and Pearcey, James. Non-Destructive Testing.

Whenever you face any difficulties associated with finding a solution to the imposed questions, order professional online help from one of the top writing websites.