Case Studies | Example | Template
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A case study is an in-depth study about a unique or interesting person, organization, program, neighborhood, or something else. This type of study of real-life events focuses on what happened to or within the subject and why it happened, and sometimes on why a problem occurred and how to resolve it.
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Your case study should feature a structure that roughly follows these sections:
- Synopsis
- Steps to addressing the problem
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
- References
- Appendices (if needed)
1. Synopsis
The first section should summarize the case study, describing the initial problem or subject, the field of research, the different factors affecting the study, and the findings of the study. This section summarizes the study for your readers to help them understand before diving into greater detail. You can also explain the importance of the subject here.
2. Steps to addressing the problem
Here, you describe the methods used to carry out the study, including who undertook it, which actors the study addressed, and where the study occurred. This would include interviews at an institution you are researching, for example, or observations of driving habits, who was driving, and where.
4. Discussion
In this section, you will identify all of the issues and their alternative solutions in more detail than in the Synopsis. In addition, discuss any challenges that arose while performing the study.
3. Conclusion/Results
You will record the results of your work here. Did your initial theory pan out as expected or not? Do your results suggest a plan that could solve the initial problem, or raise questions to further investigate resulting issues to help lead to a solution? Include any of this information.
5. Recommendations
In the recommendations section, choose which solution you think should be adopted and explain why. Make sure this section is written persuasively and integrate any academic theory as well to support your position. Finally, add references cited in the appropriate style and attach appendices if you included data that should not be a part of the body.
Cases studies do not have to follow the format above, and the format can vary depending on the type of study.
Here is one example of a case study template to help get you started:
1. Introduction and Justification
2. Methodology
a. How was the study performed?
b. What assumptions did you make (if any)?
c. Did this method present any limitations?
d. What samples are used?
e. What duration did you collect the data over?
3. Problem
4. Steps Taken to Address the Problem
5. Results
6. Recommendations
7. References
8. Appendices
Sources
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