what are the parts of a case study analysis

• Introduction
• About Case Study Reports
• Section A: Overview
• Section B: Planning and Researching

Section C: Parts of a Case Study

• Section D: Reviewing and Presenting
• Section E: Revising Your Work
• Section F: Resources
• Your Workspace
• Guided Writing Tools

• About Lab Reports
• Section C: Critical Features
• Section D: Parts of a Lab Report

• About Literature Review
• Section C: Parts of a Literature Review
• Section D: Critical Writing Skills

• About Reflective Writing
• Section B: How Can I Reflect?
• Section C: How Do I Get Started?
• Section D: Writing a Reflection

Case Study Report Prepared by University of Guelph

In this section, we will take a closer look at the common components of case study reports and what readers expect to find in them.

What Will I Learn?

By successfully completing this section, you should be able to:

• analyze the purpose and features of the sections of a case study report,
• develop writing and organization strategies for writing each section, and
• examine a case study report for strengths and weaknesses.

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What Do I Need to Include in Each Section?

Each section of the case study report serves a unique purpose and includes key elements. While reports will vary from case to case and course to course, there are some “moves” that you will typically see writers make in each section.

In this part of the guide, we will help you learn what these moves are and how you can make them in your own case study report.

Worksheet: Case Study Report Outline

You were introduced to the Case Study Report Outline Template in Section A of this guide. It contains an outline of the major components of a case study report that you can consider using as a template when completing case study reports. If you haven’t already, it is recommended that you download the template now.

Case Study Report Outline Template

This outline sample of a Case Study Report should serve as a useful guide to help you get started.

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Download the Case Study Report Outline Template .

Preview: PDF Worksheet

Tip: The components of a case study report will vary depending on the preferences of your institution and instructor. Be sure to refer to your assignment instructions in order to find out exactly what will be required when it comes to sections as well as formatting requirements for your report.

The Executive Summary

What is the purpose of an executive summary.

An executive summary typically provides a one-page snapshot of the entire report, focusing on the main highlights. It is usually included at the start of a case report before the main text. Depending on the preferences of your instructor and institution, the executive summary can be written in either paragraph- or point-form.

What should be included in an executive summary?

The executive summary of a case study report should include the following:

• Problem statement

Tell readers in 1–2 sentences what the issue at hand is.

Example: The main problem facing Company XYZ is that sales are declining and employee morale is low. Without addressing these concerns, Company XYZ will be in serious trouble and may not be able to regain their standing as an industry leader.

Recommendation

What should be done to address the problem?

Example : In order to solve this problem it is recommended that Company XYZ undergo a change in strategy, structure, and culture. Specifically, it is recommended that Company XYZ

• pursue a strategy that places a high level of importance on innovation;
• restructure the organization so that it is flexible, innovative, and appropriate for the size of the organization; and
• begin to reshape the company’s organizational culture and the way in which day-to-day business is conducted; managers at all levels of Company XYZ will need to emphasize the values of ethics, creativity, and trust.

Supporting arguments and evidence

Summary of all of the major sections of your report, highlighting the arguments and evidence that support your recommendation.

What is the key message you want readers to take away? Why is it important to solve this problem and what do you anticipate the outcomes will be if the recommendations are followed?

Tip: Keep these arguments in the same order they appear in the main text.

What Tips And Strategies Can I Employ to Write the Executive Summary?

The following is a list of tips and strategies for writing the executive summary section of a case study report:

• Write the executive summary after all of the other sections of the report have been written.
• Consider your role. Write from the perspective that you are asked to adopt; for example, did the case instructions ask you to assume the role of an internal organizational member? An external organizational consultant? Some other stakeholder? How will this influence the tone and content of the summary?
• Avoid repeating case facts in detail. There can be a more general, summative opening sentence but the remainder of your executive summary should focus on going beyond the case information that was provided.
• Clearly state and justify the specific recommendation that will solve the problem that is being encountered. Imagine a skeptical audience: Why should they believe you?
• Include only key financial numbers and associated costing information.
• Make the executive summary can stand alone. Readers should be able to understand the Executive Summary even if they don’t read the rest of the report.

Example: Annotated Case Study Report

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The Introduction

What is the purpose of the introduction.

The introduction should briefly introduce the report to the reader and should then clearly, succinctly, and accurately identify the main problem being faced by the key decision-maker.

What Should Be Included In An Introduction?

The introduction of a case study report should include the following:

• Introductory sentence
• Details about the problem (stick to details that relate to your recommendation)
• Who are the most important decision-makers? Stakeholders?
• What are the most important issues?
• Why is this problem occurring? What are the root causes? Underlying factors?
• When does this decision need to be made by? What is the decision timeline? Due date?
• Recommendation: “It is recommended in the current report that [Company XYZ] pursue [this course of action] to address [these issues].”
• Outline or road map of the remainder of the report

What Tips And Strategies Can I Employ to Write the Introduction?

The following is a list of tips and strategies for writing the introduction section of a case study report:

• Avoid repeating case facts in detail and unnecessarily summarizing case facts that are already familiar to the reader.
• State the main problem up front—be as specific and simple as possible.
• Create a sense of urgency and importance associated with the situation by identifying the key stakeholders, problems, underlying factors, and timeline issues. Engage the reader by explaining the tension and complexity underlying the situation.
• State your recommendation so that the reader can consider the rest of your report based on the solution being proposed; this will help to provide context for your analysis and other major report sections.
• Remember: There should be no surprises when the reader gets to the actual recommendation section.

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What Is The Purpose Of An Analysis Section?

The analysis section of your case study report is likely to be a very substantial part of your report. In this section you will examine the problem that you identified in the preceding section through a systematic and thorough application of your course and program content.

What Should Be Included?

The analysis section of a case study report should include the following:

• Application of course and/or program content to: examine the problem being faced, and to prepare the reader for the justification and specifics of your Recommendation, Implementation Plan
• References to related exhibits, which are appendices that appear at the end of the report in order to provide further elaboration or evidence regarding your analysis (e.g., graphs, figures, tables, financial documents)

How Should The Analysis Be Structured?

Be sure to check with your instructor to verify whether there is a specific format (e.g., SWOT, PEST) that should be followed. If no format is given, here are some general guidelines:

• Begin with an examination of the problem, highlighting the most important parts. Avoid including unnecessary detail—focus only on the problem and its parts.
• Apply course concepts or theories to the problem to provide insight into causes and effects, using headings to identify each section.
• Conclude with a summary of what your analysis has revealed. Think of this final section as an answer to the question “So what?”

What Tips And Strategies Can I Employ to Write The Analysis Section?

The following is a list of tips and strategies for writing the analysis section of a case study report:

• Use headings to subdivide the section.
• Show your understanding of the course and/or program content by systematically applying what you have been learning to the specific problem.
• Avoid using academic jargon. Instead, explain the concepts in your own words while referencing key sources.
• Only include information that is directly relevant to the problem at hand. Avoid including course and program content that does not relate to the problem that you identified in the preceding section.
• Be sure to discuss course and program concepts that will have an impact on your recommendation and implementation plan.
• Use exhibits strategically to elaborate on ideas in the report; however, ensure that the exhibits expand on ideas you’ve already discussed. Avoid introducing exhibits that don’t tie into the main text.

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Alternatives and Decision Criteria

What is the purpose of an alternatives and decision criteria section.

This section helps decision-makers consider all the possible ways they could address the problem by:

• Presenting all viable, mutually exclusive solutions to the problem.
• Outlining the criteria that will be systematically applied to determine the best solution to the problem.

What Are “Mutually Exclusive” Alternatives?

Alternatives are mutually exclusive if choosing one alternative rules out the others. Using mutually exclusive alternatives prevents a situation in which an organization has to implement multiple alternatives.

What Are “Decision Criteria”?

Key requirements that the recommendation will need to meet to successfully solve the problem.

The alternatives and decision criteria section of a case study report should include the following:

• All viable, mutually exclusive alternatives
• Decision criteria including:
• Ranking of importance in terms of which decision criterion is the most important factor in order to be confident that the recommendation will solve the problem, second most important, etc.*
• Weighting in terms of how important each of the decision criteria are in order to be confident that the recommendation will solve the problem.*
• *Not all instructors or institutions will require ranking and weighting information as it is mostly determined in a subjective manner based on your analysis of the problem; nevertheless, it may assist in helping you to decide in a more systematic manner between two or more viable alternatives.

What Tips And Strategies Can I Employ to Write The Alternatives and Decision Section?

The following is a list of tips and strategies for writing the alternatives and decision section of a case study report:

• Your instructor may make the alternatives section of a case study report optional; however, if you can think of at least one reasonable and viable alternative in addition to your recommendation, then this section should be included.
• Be sure to list all reasonable and viable alternatives (including your recommendation).
• Ensure that the alternatives listed are mutually exclusive.
• In the decision criteria section, include the criteria that will be most effective for evaluating the alternative solutions to the problem being faced.
• For a more systematic application of the decision criteria, assign importance and weighting to your decision criteria factors and then apply them to each of the alternatives.
• Be sure to convincingly demonstrate that your recommendation is in fact the best choice compared with the other alternatives. Be explicit about how the criteria apply to the recommendations—do not assume that the reader will see the connection.

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Recommendations and Implementation Plan

What is the purpose of the recommendations and implementation plan section.

Although the reader will by now be well aware of your recommendation, in this section you will discuss all of the specifics of the recommendation for solving the problem. Moreover, you should also present a thorough and well thought-out implementation plan for executing the recommendation and ensuring its success.

The recommendations and implementation plan section of a case study report should include the following:

• Detailed explanation of what your recommendation entails. What is it that will be done? What specific steps will be involved? What equipment or expertise will be needed?
• Explanation of your implementation plan, including:
• Who will be responsible for what part of the implementation plan?
• When will the different parts of the recommendation be implemented? Short-, medium-, and long-term implementation plan?
• What will the cost be of these required actions?
• What will the impact of this recommendation be on other parts of the organization?
• What could go wrong, and what contingency plans are in place?

What Tips And Strategies Can I Employ to Write The Recommendations And Implementation Plan?

The following is a list of tips and strategies for writing the recommendations and implementation plan of a case study report:

• Be sure to include all of the details of your recommendation. You have already outlined your more general recommendation to the reader earlier in your report but now is your opportunity to provide the more specific details regarding your recommendation.
• Include a well thought-out implementation plan that includes all of the specifics that an organization would actually require in order to realistically implement your recommendation. Try to put yourself in the mindset of the organizational members responsible for implementing your recommendation; what step-by-step specifics will they need to be aware of in order to take your recommendation and ensure that it is successfully implemented?
• Including a contingency analysis of the possible problems that could arise from your recommendation. What might go wrong? How will you address these problems should they come up in order to still be able to successfully implement your recommendation?
• Also be sure to consider the expected as well as the potentially unexpected impact of your recommendation on the people within the organization.
• A good strategy would be to explain how the organizational leaders will evaluate whether your implementation plan has been successful and whether the recommendation has achieved the desired results. Be specific regarding the evaluation metrics that should be used (e.g., measures of customer satisfaction, measures of employee engagement, profitability analyses)

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Conclusion and References

What is the purpose of the conclusion.

The purpose of the conclusion section is to leave your reader with one or two last, powerful statements that will help to reinforce the recommendation that you are proposing.

Some instructors and institutions do not require a conclusion section, but if done effectively, it can end your case report on a strong note.

The conclusion section of a case study report should include the following:

• A summary sentence that explains what we have learned from the report
• One or two impactful and memorable statements to conclude your report (what is the most important thing that the organization should take away from the report?)

What Tips And Strategies Can I Employ to Write The Conclusion?

The following is a list of tips and strategies for writing the conclusion of a case study report:

• Avoid an abrupt ending to your written case report. Provide a few sentences to help draw things to a natural close.
• Persuasively summarize how your recommendation will solve the problem at hand.
• Ensure that you yourself are persuaded and convinced by the concluding statement; for example, would you believe that this solution will work if you were the person reading your report?

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Citing Your Sources

What sources should you cite.

You should use in-text citations for any idea that is not your own. Moreover, these citations should be reflected in your references list, which you will be required to provide at the end of your case study report. Your institution will have their own plagiarism and academic misconduct policies, which you should familiarize yourself with; however, a best practice will be to be cautious and ensure that all of the following are appropriately cited and referenced throughout your work:

• Ideas from sources other than your own thinking
• Direct quotations, which you should use infrequently in your case study reports
• Paraphrasing and/or summarizing the work of others
• Course and/or program specific definitions, theories, models, etc.
• Information from popular press articles
• Data, financial documents, etc. from annual reports, company webpages

What Are The Common Citation Styles?

It is likely that your instructor will let you know what his/her preferences are in terms of a citation style; however, some of the most common citation styles include:

• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago)
• Modern Language Association (MLA)

Key Takeaways and References

Key takeaways.

Now that you've completed this section, keep the following things in mind:

• The key to most case study reports is logic. There is usually not just one desired correct response to a case study, but rather, there are more and less logical, practical, and reasonable responses. Incorporating sound and strong logic throughout your report is paramount.
• Ensure that your report is written at a level that would appeal to a business audience rather than an academic one.
• Lastly, can you confidently stand behind, advocate for, and answer questions regarding your case response? If so, then your work is likely in a good position!
• The next steps for this set of modules will involve helping you to take all of the work that has gone into your written report in order to prepare a verbal presentation of your work.

American Psychological Association (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Lipson, C. (2011). Cite right: A quick guide to citation styles—MLA, APA, Chicago, the sciences, professions, and more (2nd ed.). Chicago: The University Of Chicago Press.

Modern Language Association (2008). MLA style manual and guide to scholarly publishing (3rd ed.). New York: Modern Language Association of America.

Modern Language Association (2009). The MLA handbook for writers of research papers (7th ed.). New York: Modern Language Association of America.

University of Chicago Press Staff. (2010). The Chicago manual of style: The essential guide for writers, editors, and publishers (16th ed.). Chicago: The University Of Chicago Press.

University of Guelph. (2015). Case Study Report Outline Template .

University of Guelph. (2015). The Executive Summary. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (Interactive Activity).

University of Guelph. (2015). The Executive Summary. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (PDF).

University of Guelph. (2015). The Introduction. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (Interactive Activity).

University of Guelph. (2015). The Introduction. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (PDF).

University of Guelph. (2015). Analysis. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (Interactive Activity).

University of Guelph. (2015). Analysis. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (PDF).

University of Guelph. (2015). Alternatives and Decision Criteria. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (Interactive Activity).

University of Guelph. (2015). Alternatives and Decision Criteria. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (PDF).

University of Guelph. (2015). Recommendations and Implementation Plan. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (Interactive Activity).

University of Guelph. (2015). Recommendations and Implementation Plan. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (PDF).

University of Guelph. (2015). Conclusion and References. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (Interactive Activity).

University of Guelph. (2015). Conclusion and References. Example: Annotated Case Study Report . (PDF).

Next Section Overview

In Section D: Reviewing and Presenting , we will explore understanding and meeting your instructor's expectations for the report and presentation.

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.

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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: 'CREDIBLE SOURCES: WHAT ARE THEY?'

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.

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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 .

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9 Components of a Case Study You Absolutely Need to Include

SaaS case studies help you educate prospects on the value of your products and the results your customers have achieved. To make your case study creation process easier, it’s crucial to follow a format. In this post, learn the 9 components of a case study you need to include in order to provide the social proof your prospects are looking for.

This is the first post in a 9-part series on how to write a B2B case study .

Must-have components of a case study

1. a compelling executive summary.

One of the most important components of a case study is a powerful executive summary . It lets your reader know what they’re getting into, and how they might relate to and benefit from what they’ll learn. Firstly, it needs to introduce your customer and their challenges. Secondly, it should highlight how your B2B SaaS company helped deliver the right solution. And be sure to include a preview of the results your customer saw from your products.

2. Outline your customer’s challenges

Illustrating the obstacles your customer faced that prompted them to seek out a B2B SaaS solution is one of the most crucial components of a case study. For example, maybe their business processes were a drain on time, resources or budgets—or all of the above. This section is an ideal spot to use a customer quote and let them share their story in their words. Remember to paint your customer in a positive light. And focus on how they wanted to improve their business, and avoid overly negative language.

3. Lead your reader along your customer’s journey

Help your reader picture themselves in your customer’s shoes. Lay out the steps your customer took to try to solve their problem, including an overview of the other products they investigated before they decided on yours. But be mindful not to toot your own horn—you’re simply recapping the facts.

4. The moment of discovery

The core elements of a case study wouldn’t be complete without a section on how your customer decided on your specific B2B SaaS solution. First, provide insight into which of their business requirements it met. Then include any other reasons the partnership was a good fit—perhaps your companies shared similar organizational values. This is an area where case study testimonials make for powerful storytelling . They allow you to set your case study up to dive into how you and your product solved your customer’s challenges.

5. Spend some time on the solution

In the “solution” component of your case study, you get to pitch your products without the fear of sounding like a used car salesman. Remember, you didn’t rush in and save the day—this is about your customer’s goals and how your solution helped them reach their objectives. As a result, you simply need to outline the products your customer purchased and the benefits they provided.

6. Walk your reader through the implementation

Change can be daunting, especially when it comes to the unknown, so it’s crucial that you give your reader a clear sense of how the implementation process went for your customer. For example, if problems arose, don’t be afraid to be transparent about them, but tie the storyline back to how you and your customer overcame the challenges. This is one of the most important components of a case study, and is an opportunity to let your customer service shine.

7. Celebrate your customer’s results

77% of SaaS companies include metrics in at least 50% of their case studies . Metrics are where you can show off the data—hard numbers like revenue gains and time saved that illustrate the return on investment your customer gained from your solution. Showcase how well your products solved the customer’s problems. Find out what to do if you don’t have case study metrics to work with.

8. Close the loop with a call to action

Using the right components of a case study so far has helped keep your reader’s attention until the end of the piece, creating an important opportunity for you to guide them to the next step you want them to take. You can accomplish this by including a clear call to action (CTA) that speaks directly to them at the end of your B2B SaaS case study. See these case study CTA examples to learn how to make your calls to action stand out.

9. Don’t get too caught up in using the perfect format

A lot of experts will tell you that your content needs to include all of the components of a case study and follow a structured formula. But don’t stress over this.

A creative story doesn’t lock itself into anything too prescriptive. And you don’t have to chunk your content into specific modules like some ’90s business plan. The most interesting and compelling stories take a creative approach to case study layout , and they play with perspective.

9 components of a case study: did you include them all?

Now that you know the 9 parts of a case study, take a look back through your own case studies. Have you included each of the components?

And last, but certainly not least, have you squeezed every last ounce of value from your case studies? Here are 8 ways to fully leverage your case studies for maximum results.

Get help writing your case studies

Partnering with a SaaS content marketing agency like Uplift Content allows you to produce a consistent flow of high-quality marketing and sales collateral that generates and nurtures leads—and closes sales faster. Check out our case study writing services .

As the founder of Uplift Content, Emily leads her team in creating done-for-you case studies, ebooks and blog posts for high-growth SaaS companies like ClickUp, Calendly and WalkMe. Connect with Emily on Linkedin

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Writing a case study

What is a case study.

A case study requires you to analyse a specific situation and discuss how its different elements relate to theory. The case can refer to a real-life or hypothetical event, organisation, individual or group of people and/or issue. Depending upon your assignment, you will be asked to develop solutions to problems or recommendations for future action.

Generally, a case study is either formatted as an essay or a report. If it is the latter, your assignment is often divided into sections with headings and subheadings to ensure easy access to key points of interest.

There are different approaches to case studies, so always check the specific instructions you have been given. There are two main types of case studies: descriptive and problem-solving .

Case study types accordion

Descriptive case studies.

• ask you to explore a specific event or issue to identify the key facts, what happened and who was/is involved.
• can be used to compare two instances of an event to illustrate how one is similar to the other.
• generally does not include solutions or recommendations as its main purpose is to help the reader or stakeholder to gain greater insight into the different dimensions of the event, etc. and/or to make an informed decision about the event, etc.

For example:

• In Nursing, you could be asked to select a medical clinic or hospital as your case study and then apply what you have studied in class about wound care approaches. You would then identify and apply the relevant theories of wound care management discussed in class to your case.

Problem-solving case studies

• ask you to critically examine an issue related to a specific individual or group, and then recommend and justify solutions to the issue, integrating theory and practice.
• In Business and Economics, you could be asked to describe a critical incident in the workplace. Your role as the manager is to apply your knowledge and skills of key intercultural communication concepts and theories in management to determine the causes of the conflict and propose relevant communication strategies to avoid and/or resolve it.

Tips for undertaking a problem-based case study View

Writing to your audience.

Your language expression should be persuasive and user-centred communication. To do this, you need to carefully research your audience, or your stakeholders . Your stakeholders are not only those people who will read your writing, but also people who will be impacted by any decisions or recommendations you choose to include. In other words, your audience may be varied with different needs and perspectives. This applies to both your case study as an assessment task and a report in your workplace.

Understanding your audience will help you to edit how you express your information, including tailoring your language expression, tone and style to meet the expectations of your stakeholders. For example, if your case study is written for the Minister of Health, then your tone will need to be formal, ensuring that any technical terms are clearly and concisely explained with concrete examples.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Who will read my case study and why?
• What are the stakeholders’ needs, preferences, expectations and goals?
• How can I write clearly and concisely for this particular audience?
• How will the stakeholders use my case study in their work?
• What are the relevant technical terms and have I explained them in clear and concise language?

Writing up your case study

If your case study is in the form of a report, you can divide it into 8 main sections, as outlined below. However, these vary depending on discipline-specific requirements and assessment criteria.

1. Executive Summary/Synopsis

• Introduce the topic area of the report.
• Outline the purpose of the case study.
• Outline the key issue(s) and finding(s) without the specific details.
• Identify the theory used.
• Summarise recommendations.

2. Introduction

• Summarise the your task
• Briefly outline the case to identify its significance.
• State the report's aim(s).
• Provide the organisation of the main ideas in the report.
• Briefly describe the key problem and its significance (You usually do not need to provide details of findings or recommendations. However, it is best to first check your assessment task instructions.)

3. Findings

• presenting the central issue(s) under analysis,
• providing your reasoning for your choices such as supporting your findings with facts given in the case, the relevant theory and course concepts
• highlighting any underlying problems.
• Identify and justify your methodology and analytical tools.This might not be applicable to your assessment, so you will need to check your assessment instructions.

This section is often divided into sub-sections. Your headings and subheadings need to be ​​informative and concise as they act as a guide for the reader to the contents of that section.

4. Discussion

• Summarise the major problem(s).
• Identify alternative solutions to these major problem(s).
• Briefly outline each alternative solution where necessary and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages.
• Depending on your assessment criteria, you might need to refer to theory or professional practice here.

Note that as a case study is based on a specific situation, it is difficult to generalise your findings to other situations. Make sure that your discussion focuses on your case and what can be learnt from your specific case analysis for your stakeholders.

5. Conclusion

• Restate the purpose of the report
• Sum up the main points from the findings, discussion and recommendations.
• Restate the limitations if required.

6. Recommendations

• Choose which of the alternative solutions should be adopted.
• Briefly justify your choice, explaining how it will solve the major problem/s.
• Remember to integrate theory and practice as discussed in your unit with respect to the case.
• If needed, suggest an action plan, including who should take action, when and what steps, and how to assess the action taken.
• If appropriate include a rough estimate of costs (both financial and time).

This section is sometimes divided into Recommendations and Implementation with details of the action plan placed in the Implementation section.

Recommendations should be written in a persuasive, audience-centred style that communicates your suggestions clearly, concisely and precisely .

7. References

• List in alphabetical order all the references cited in the report.
• Make sure to accurately format your references according to the specified referencing style for your unit.

8. Appendices (if any)

• Attach any original data that relates to your analysis and the case but which would have interrupted the flow of the main body.

Reference list

Ivančević-Otanjac, M., & Milojević, I. (2015). Writing a case report in English. Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo , 143 (1-2), 116-118.

Take it further

Buseco: report writing.

This resource is designed to assist you in completing a business report. It provides a guide to approaching and structuring your report and includes annotated examples with written feedback.

Engineering: Lab report

This resource expands on the general report structure and provides useful tips and examples on how to turn practical work and lab experiments into a written lab report.

Engineering: Technical report

This resource expands on the general report structure and provides useful tips and examples on how to write a report for key stakeholders, using experimental and practical data.

This resource provides information about what reports look like in IT, and how you might consider structuring your IT report. It includes student samples for each possible section of an IT report, along with video and written feedback.

MNHS: Health sciences case report

This resource provides a guide to approaching and structuring a patient-based case report. It includes an annotated example with written feedback.

MNHS: Comparative report

This resource is designed to assist you in completing your Comparative Report [CR] for Integrating Science and Practice [iSAP] assessment tasks. It provides a guide to approaching and structuring your report and includes an annotated example with written feedback.

MNHS: Psychology case report

This resource provides detailed guidance on the structure and content of the psychology case report, with numerous examples from the recommended reading.

Science: Lab report

Your feedback matters.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you found most useful or share your suggestions for improving this resource.

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Q. Need help with writing a case study analysis?

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Answered By: Coleen Neary Last Updated: Jun 02, 2023     Views: 240701

A case study analysis requires you to investigate a business problem, examine the alternative solutions, and propose the most effective solution using supporting evidenc e.

Before you begin writing, follow these guidelines to help you prepare and understand the case study:

• Take notes, highlight relevant facts, and underline key problems.
• Identify two to five key problems
• Why do they exist?
• How do they impact the organization?
• Who is responsible for them?
• Review course readings, discussions, outside research, and your experience.
• Consider strong supporting evidence, pros, and cons: is this solution realistic?

Once you have gathered the necessary information, a draft of your analysis should include these sections:

• Identify the key problems and issues in the case study.
• Formulate and include a thesis statement, summarizing the outcome of your analysis in 1–2 sentences.
• Set the scene: background information, relevant facts, and the most important issues.
• Demonstrate that you have researched the problems in this case study.
• Outline possible alternatives (not necessarily all of them)
• Explain why alternatives were rejected
• Constraints/reasons
• Why are alternatives not possible at this time?
• Provide one specific and realistic solution
• Explain why this solution was chosen
• Support this solution with solid evidence
• Concepts from class (text readings, discussions, lectures)
• Outside research
• Personal experience (anecdotes)
• Determine and discuss specific strategies for accomplishing the proposed solution.
• If applicable, recommend further action to resolve some of the issues
• What should be done and who should do it?

After you have composed the first draft of your case study analysis, read through it to check for any gaps or inconsistencies in content or structure: Is your thesis statement clear and direct? Have you provided solid evidence? Is any component from the analysis missing?

Source :  University of Arizona Writing Center. (n.d.). Writing a case study analysis .  URL: https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/writing-case-study-analysis

• For additional help with the final draft on revisions and editing, please refer to Writing@APUS, The Final Product for tips on proofreading,  
• Looking for other business writing resources?  See:  How to Find Business Communication & Writing Resources

Questions?  Contact the library .

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• How can I find case study articles about metaphors in organizations?
• Analyze a case study (Cenage)
• Write a case study analysis (Cenage)
• How to Write and Format a Business Case Study (ThoughtCo,)
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• Free Management Library | Basics of Developing Case Studies
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Case Analysis: Format, Structure, & Examples for Students

Do you want to find out how to write a case analysis?

It is a challenging assignment, including both theory and practice. Strategic managers use this analysis tool to improve the performance of a company. For example, Netflix conducts case studies regularly, which lets them implement new strategies.

And there’s no need to tell how successful they are, right?

This article is a guide for students who want to write a perfect case analysis. You will find information on the structure and purposes of your writing. Look for report examples at the end!

• 📌 Case Analysis Definition
• 📑 Case Analysis Structure
• 👔 Case Analysis Examples

📌 What Is a Case Analysis?

Case analysis allows you to use the knowledge gained in class in an actual situation. You need to demonstrate your understanding of the theory and how you can use it.

We will discuss the objectives and case analysis format below.

Case Analysis Definition

A case analysis is a thorough study of an issue, primarily used in business & marketing. It is an effective decision-making tool and requires attention to the following aspects. Consider all costs, risks, and benefits to the potential choices you might make. In the corporate world, businesses and project managers use case analysis to develop their strategies.

Is a Business Case Analysis Any Different from a Business Case?

Yes, it is. A business case refers just to the presented report. A business case analysis is an overall approach to research, its procedures, and results.

Case Analysis Purpose

While being a handy tool for managers and researchers, a case analysis presents the following purposes.

• Finding existing and potential problems of a business. You need to analyze all the factors that influence the business’ performance to find issues.
• Evaluating possible solutions and decisions. To do that, consider the previous strategies that the company used. At this stage, you need to compare all the potential factors and pay attention to the details that might influence the results.
• Choosing the best strategy for a business. After you have assessed all the available options, you need to find out which is the best one. Then it’s time to prove the critical point of case analysis to the readers.

📑 Case Analysis Format & Structure

Now you know what a case analysis is so that we can move on.

A typical case analysis incorporates seven parts. We will explain what to write in each of them and how to avoid common mistakes.

Here, we will focus on business cases. Read the passages below to know everything about the report format.

Let’s start!

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is a short review of the whole research, covering the main points. Better write it last, and here’s why: once you have a complete case analysis in front of you, it is easier to highlight the key information.

Here are the main points that you need to mention in the executive summary:

• The purpose of your paper.
• The field of research you have chosen.
• Key issues and findings.
• Your theory and suggested course of action.

Always think about the readers – there is no need to include details they already know. At the same time, ensure to show your deep understanding of the problem and the business needs.

2. Introduction

In this part, include a detailed description of the case study analysis problems. Mention the purposes of the research. Add the background information and aspects you haven’t covered before.

At the end of the introduction, state your hypothesis. It should include an explanation of the problems and the suggested solution strategies.

Try to fit your introduction in 2-4 paragraphs.

A case study method is how you gather and use the information in the study.

Here are some standard methods:

• Observation
• Documentary analysis

Each method defines certain boundaries of the case. In other words, you state your data gathering method and the scope you want to cover. It can be a specific place, period, market, etc. At this point, there should be clear answers to these questions: What are the characteristics of your case? Which data do you need to collect? How are you going to do it?

4. Solutions & Assumptions

According to the case analysis structure, this is the section to describe the solutions. Reveal those solutions that were briefly mentioned in the introduction. To show that you’ve researched your case correctly, provide as many details as possible. All the solutions should be realistic and achievable in the existing circumstances.

Also, assume what the consequences of these solutions might be. Explain your predictions with the help of the gathered evidence. The best idea is to rely on scientific data, research results, or interviews conducted.

5. Recommendations

In this part, share your thoughts in a persuasive tone to convince the audience. If you have chosen one strategy that you think works best, describe how to implement it. If not, share ideas on several strategies a business can use to succeed.

An excellent bonus will be to mention minor problems you’ve noticed during the research. Offer ways to eliminate these problems. And don’t forget to refer to the theory you’ve learned in the classroom.

6. Conclusion

The case analysis format requires more than just summarizing the main points. The goal here is to synthesize the key findings of the case study: show the role of each and how they work together. Remind your readers about the importance of the research and its results.

It is essential to share the insights you’ve had while studying the issue. State if the case needs further research and its possible directions. You might address a controversy or knowledge gap you’ve found while researching.

7. References & Appendices

Gather all the external sources used during the analysis. You need to be careful with the formatting at this stage. A reference list is usually made in APA, MLA, or Chicago citation styles. If you are not sure how to use them, find guidelines on your college’s website. Or check this mini-guide about three major referencing styles of academic writings .

Appendices that come in the very end contain charts, graphs, tables, etc. These data would be destructive to the readers if you placed it in the main body.

👔 Case Analysis Examples for Students

We hope it was a helpful structure manual. Now we are ready to provide you with some case study samples for high school and college students.

We will take a look at three popular companies: Starbucks, Netflix, and Tesla. While being successful, all of them have issues and need adjustments constantly. Solve these puzzles with us!

Starbucks Case Analysis

A closer look at the specifics of Starbucks’ operations in the target environment revealed some problems. Although Starbucks has become a household name for a significant part of the population across the world, it had seen its dark days, when the company’s leaders were trying to find the solution that would make the company unique and memorable, while at the same time expanding into the global economy and catering to a broader audience (Koehn et al. 1-3). […]

Read how Starbucks has dealt with the problems that occurred during the crisis of 2008.

Netflix Case Analysis

Throughout the years, Netflix has been expanding to new markets by developing relationships with partners and creating its media content (“Long-term view,” n.d.). These measures can ensure the organization’s sustainable development in the long-term perspective. It might be assumed that Netflix is the leader in the market because the company focuses both on internal and external processes. […]

Check the full version of the Netflix case analysis to figure out the company’s position in the competitive environment.

Tesla Motors Case Analysis

Tesla is an excellent example of how a developing and successful company might fall behind on producing a new product and become unable to keep up with demand. The company executives believe lack of motivation and ineffective training to be the significant factors contributing to the team’s slow progress and poor quality of the finished product. Considering these problems to be influencing the final product significantly, this case analysis will be dedicated to creating a training plan to address the situation. The main focus will be on shaping the company’s strategies, changing the leadership approach, and executing a motivational system for employees. […]

Continue reading about Tesla’s ways to deal with the business decline and rising demand.

More Case Study Examples

• Rocket Internet company case study .
• Chick-Fill-A: The firm’s international expansion challenges .
• Analysis of Goya Foods company case .
• The Enron Corporation scandal analysis .
• The Netflix case of 2011: Mistakes and solutions .
• TOMS Shoes: 4Ps, innovation, and marketing recommendations .
• Walmart corporation’s case of using robots .
• Apple Inc. in 2020: SWOT analysis and VRIO framework .
• Training at Brighten Inc.: Case study .
• Peloton Interactive Inc.’s crisis and solution .
• Volkswagen emission scandal: Case analysis .
• What helps Crocs to achieve success in the market .
• Square Solar Inc.’s intellectual assets & property security .
• Strategic planning: McDonald’s case .
• Markets of YA.SI.GA.MO.MA.GE: Case study .
• PepsiCo: Operation and supply chain management strategies .
• Nokia’s 5G coverage in the North American region .
• Google company’s human resource management .
• Unilever company and the risks it can face .
• P&G: The development of the data governance and management strategies .
• The CJ Industries and heavey pumps contract case .
• Valero Energy Corporation (VLO): Issues and their solutions .
• Vision, mission, and change: Microsoft’s acquisition of CloudKnox Security .
• The controversy of nicotine and its effects on Altria .
• The Covid-19 impact on Microsoft’s productivity .
• Operations management of Boeing .
• Amazon’s foreign direct investment in Finland .
• General Motors company: Case analysis and solutions .
• Fitbit firm’s competitive advantage, opportunities, and threats .
• Zara: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability .
• Environmental analysis: A case study of Apple Inc .
• Tesla’s vertically integrated supply chain .
• Case study: Consulting firm’s lost paradise .
• Post-covid reality in the case of Wirkkala company .
• JetBlue’s opportunities for sustainable value creation .
• Green Energy and Environmental Services Co. W.L.L: Case study .
• Passenger Rail Agency’s (PRASA) organizational change .
• Agthia Group’s critical success factors, valuable resources, and competitive advantages .
• Off-White case study: Summary of success .
• Fisher-Price case and corporate public apology .

Case Analysis Checklist for Students

To wrap the discussion, we’ve made this checklist for you. Go through each step to ensure your case analysis is done qualitatively.

• Define the issue that you will study. Choose the specific problem and dig into its main defects.
• Research the issue. Find more data about this particular case or compare it with similar ones.
• Filter the data that you will use. Not all the information you’ve found is necessary to your case analysis.
• Think about how to solve the issue. It is enough to have at least three solutions or strategies.
• Compare the solutions. Define their advantages, disadvantages, risks, and costs.
• Take a look at examples. Use them as references, and don’t forget to check credibility.
• Study the structure. Check the requirements for your paper and make a list of the sections you will need.
• Draft your case analysis. Note the main thoughts for each section. Then you can make everything you’ve written more detailed and sophisticated.
• Make sure you don’t repeat yourself. Your thoughts should flow in one direction, but don’t use the same words. Try to at least paraphrase everything that looks similar.
• Proofread your paper. Start with the cover page and end with the last one. Everything has to be perfect.

Well, that’s all for today. Thank you for being so attentive and motivated to read this article till the end. We hope you’ve found all the information you need to write a perfect case analysis. Take some notes on the most important moments of this article and begin your journey.

You have a lot of work ahead, but we believe you can make it.

Incredible, phenomenal blog page arrangement! How long have you been writing for?

Your content is good as well as informative in my personal opinion. You have truly done a lot of research on this topic. Thank you for sharing it.

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Writing a Case Study

What is a case study?

A Case study is: 

• An in-depth research design that primarily uses a qualitative methodology but sometimes​​ includes quantitative methodology.
• Used to examine an identifiable problem confirmed through research.
• Used to investigate an individual, group of people, organization, or event.
• Used to mostly answer "how" and "why" questions.

What are the different types of case studies?

Note: These are the primary case studies. As you continue to research and learn

about case studies you will begin to find a robust list of different types. 

Who are your case study participants?

What is triangulation ? 

Validity and credibility are an essential part of the case study. Therefore, the researcher should include triangulation to ensure trustworthiness while accurately reflecting what the researcher seeks to investigate.

How to write a Case Study?

When developing a case study, there are different ways you could present the information, but remember to include the five parts for your case study.

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Main Tips On How To Write Case Study Analysis

29 Apr 2022

Quick Navigation

❔What is a Case Study Analysis?

☝️Types of Case Studies

📃Case Study Examples

✏️Writing a Case Study Draft

📝How to Format a Case Study

✍️How to Write an Outline

📌How to Write a Case Study

📑Creating a Title Page and Citing

Many students struggle with how to do a case study analysis. Writing such an assignment is always daunting, as it requires you to analyze something and form conclusions based on your research.

It usually focuses on phenomena you can't study in a typical way. Therefore, when writing such a text, you have to prepare thoughtfully. In the  PapersOwl article, you will find out what this academic writing is and how to write a case analysis.

Is writing essays your hobby?

Participate in our "Independence Day of the United States" essay writing competition and get a 12-month Quizlet subscription.

• Deadline: July 24, 2023
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• Language: English
• Length: 1000-5000 words
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What is a Case Study Analysis?

A case study analysis is a form of writing that analyzes a specific situation, event, object, person, or even place. The said analysis should be written and structured to lead to a conclusion. Typically, you cannot analyze the subject of this essay via quantitative methods.

Note that such studies can be used in various fields and require the use of many theories that can give you a unique approach to the matter. For example, you can write a paper like this about social sciences, business, medicine, and many other fields. Each of these will require a particular approach.

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Difference Between Research Paper and Case Study

Like all papers share similarities, these two are no different. Hence, knowing these parallels and distinctions, you will be able to learn how to write a case study assignment correctly.

A case study introduction can present the topic but does not require a citation of other similar works or the writer's opinion. On the other hand, research papers do not need a complete introduction about the general topic, but need citation since you will be using other people's works.

In addition, a writer must present their thoughts and views about the case they research. Finally, the most significant difference is that the research papers make the readers focus on a specific issue. On the contrary, the case study goes more into the matter and shifts the focus to all the details.

Types of Case Studies

When it comes to writing case study analysis, there are five types you must learn to differentiate. That is important because whether you get such an assignment, you will have to understand the task first and then start with the writing.

Here are the types of case studies which you will encounter most often:

• Problem-oriented - this type focuses on real-life situations or theoretical issues and aims to solve them. For example, "World Hunger."

The second type is critical, also known as innate. The goal is to investigate a specific case, particularly its effects and what causes them - "Why Toys Remain Gender Stereotyped."

Historical case studies papers focus on events from our past. The text should contain information about a specific historical period of this type. Your goal will be to provide different perspectives of an event and parallel them to current-day issues. An example of such a topic is "Racism During Ancient Times - Roman Empire."

The illustrative or Instrumental type focuses on describing a particular event. Here you have to explain the event's outcome and what you have learned from it. A sample of such a topic is "The Effects of Dance Therapy in Depressed Adolescents."

Collective case studies are the fifth type. They include a collection of data about a specific case you will use to compare. E.g., "The Management Leadership at Work."

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Case Study Title Examples

When writing a case study analysis, titles usually point out that the text is a study. Thus, most of them contain "case study" in the header. Here are some case study analysis examples:

• Santander's Expansion in Canada: Case Study Analysis
• Case Study on the Effects of Art Therapy on Children with ADHD
• The National Health Service's Treatment of People with Learning Disabilities, Case Study Analysis
• Toxicological Case Study of The Mississippi River
• Reading Development in Remote Areas of Nigeria: A Case Study
• Case Study on the Growth of Veganism in Berlin

Writing a Case Study Draft

Creating a rough draft is the foremost step to take while writing such a paper. It is an essential step you must take, no matter how experienced you are. By doing it, you will be able to get more creative. In addition, you can explore options and decide on what to focus on more precisely, which will eventually result in a higher grade for your work.

So, sit down in a quiet place, bring an old-fashioned pen and paper, and start drafting ideas. Read them briefly while sipping on your tea and edit. After you have decided where your focus will lay, you have to develop these ideas and thoughts a bit more, then pick the best one.

How to Format a Case Study

Knowing how a case study analysis format should look is crucial. Therefore, you must know what the text structure should look like. The standard one contains about eight sections:

• Introduction/The Executive Summary: As the first part here, you have to hook the reader's attention, so the introduction of the case study is the most important part of the writing.  Then present them with a brief overview of your case study analyses and their findings. Make sure to form a good thesis statement , as this is the pivotal point of your work.
• Literary Review/Background information: Similarly to other papers, in this part, you have to write your most important facts or findings while identifying the case issue.
• Method/Findings/Discussion: This section can be written separately based on how your text flows. Here you will have to explore more about the case and its findings. Allow yourself to go into more detail instead of just briefly covering them.
• Solutions/Recommendations/Implementation Part: You have to discuss the answers you came up with. Basically, you say why they are fit to solve the case and how you think they can be used in practice. Note that you must write only realistic and practical solutions for the problem. It's possible to write testable evidence that can support your recommendations.
• Conclusion: Here, you are supposed to cover your whole paper briefly and even repeat the thesis (rephrased). Make sure to highlight the critical points of your case study.
• References or Bibliography: This section must include the sources from which you collected data or whom you consulted. Usually, this part is on a separate page, and the listing should be according to your academic institution's requirements.
• Appendices (include only if applicable): It is usual for some parts of your materials to be too lengthy or unfit for the other sections of the case study. Therefore, you have to include them here. That can be pictures, raw data of statistics, graphs, notes, etc. The appendix section is strictly for subsidiary materials, do not put the most relevant ones here.
• Author Note: Remember that all educational institutions have their requirement for a case study format. The abovementioned is an example; thus, you may see a section or another is missing, or there are additional ones.

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How to Write a Case Study Outline

To write a case study outline, you have first to conduct research. The best way to do so is by accessing academic search engines like Google Scholar or by using old-fashioned books and published works. From there, you should understand how to structure and what key points to form your text. Then, construct your thesis statement around the idea you picked.

The outline for your case study paper is essential to your writing process. It helps you organize your thoughts and ideas in order to present a comprehensive, well-structured paper. Furthermore, it allows your professor to evaluate your understanding of the subject, the correct formatting and structure, and to identify any potential issues with your paper. Having an outline serves as a guide for both you and your professor, making it easier to plan and write your paper . With the help of a well-crafted outline, your professor can navigate your paper more easily and spot any issues before they arise. Writing a case study paper can be daunting, but the outline helps make it easier.

A case study outline will most likely consist of the following sections and information: 

• Case study title;
• Student’s name;
• Educational instructor's name;
• Course name.

Introduction/Summary

• It briefly overviews your case study, thesis statement, and essential findings.

Main Body Paragraphs - usually three to five

• Literature Review/Background Information;
• Method/Findings;
• Discussion/Solutions/Recommendations.
• Repeat a paraphrased version of your thesis;
• Summarize your case study key points;
• Finish with a statement that can recommend the audience to read further by giving them thoughts to contemplate and develop new ideas.

Reference List or Bibliography

• List all the sources of evidence used to create your case study in your educational organization's required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, Turabian, etc.).

How to Write a Case Study

The way to write a case study is by strictly following the main idea of your thesis. You already know that a study's main body consists of an introduction, literature review, method, discussion, and conclusion sections. Thus, all that is left is to focus on these parts and understand how to make them perfect.

• The Introduction/Summary: The introduction of a case study should start with a solid first sentence that will hook the reader. Afterward, you must explain the question you will be answering and why you are doing it. You should include some of the topic's relevant history and details here. Also, you should explain how your case study will enrich the available information. Also, briefly summarize your literature review, which your findings will use as a base. Try to finish positively and make the reader see the benefits of reading your work.
• Background Information/Literature Review: ‍Structure and present the data from your academic sources . This section will show the reader how vital your work is and the basis for it.
• Method/Findings: This part aims to explain the case you selected, how it connects to the issue, and why you chose them. You can also add what methods you use. Here you must note that the data collection methods are qualitative, not quantitative, for case studies. That means the data is not random but well-structured and chronically taken from interviews, focus groups, and other sources.
• Discussion/Solutions: Restate your thesis but rephrase it, then draw your conclusions from what you have discovered via your research and link to your statement. Inform the audience of your main findings and define why the results are relevant to the field. Think about the following questions:

Were the results unexpected? Why/Why not?

How do your findings compare to previous similar case studies in your literature review?

Do your findings correlate to previous results, or do they contradict them?

Are your findings helpful in deepening the current understanding of the topic?

Next, explore possible alternative explanations or interpretations of your findings. Be subjective and explain your paper's limitations. End with some suggestions for further exploration based on the limits of your work. ‍

• Conclusion: Inform the reader precisely why your case study and findings are relevant, and restate your thesis and main results. Give a summary of previous studies you reviewed and how you contributed to expanding current knowledge. The final should explain how your work can be helpful and implemented in future research. 

Your instructor should have an excellent example they can show you, so feel free to ask. They will surely want to help you learn how to write a case study!

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How to Create a Title Page and Cite a Case Study

A case study in APA format for students can differ from one institution to another. So, knowing your college or school requirements is crucial before you start writing. Nonetheless, the general one should look like this:

• Title - A header no longer than nine words has "Case Study" and reflects the content and the idea behind it yet is engaging to read;
• Write your full name;
• The name of your course/class;
• Next is your professor or instructor name;
• The university/school name;
• The date of submission.

When citing in your paper, you must ensure it is done accurately and in your academic style. If you are unsure how to do it, research the requirements and google "How to do a case study analysis in Harvard", for example. Note that short citations can be in your text, but longer ones should be in the bibliography section. 

Hruby, A. (2018). Hruby, A., & Hu, F. B. (2015). The epidemiology of obesity: a big picture. Pharmacoeconomics, 33(7), 673-689. www.sciepub.com. http://www.sciepub.com/reference/254744

Case studies strive to analyze an event, location, case, or person. They can be similar to research papers, so you must pay close attention to the structure and what your professor has requested from you.

Finally, the process of writing can be overwhelming due to the many sections. However, if you take the process step by step and do your preparations properly, you will have an easy time writing the paper. You can also look for assistance online - many services offer to order case study online help . With the right kind of assistance, you can be sure that your paper is of high quality and is due on time!

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I am Dr. Paulus, an experienced academic writer. I am efficient, hardworking, and very flexible. As a student, I majored in History and Management but will be more than happy to work on any other subject. I write everything from scratch and do a unique research for every project.

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